• What is Pelvi-Ureteric junction obstruction?

  One of the main jobs of the kidney is to filter the blood and deliver the waste products (urine) to the bladder. The urine leaves the kidney, enters the renal pelvis, and then passes into the ureter through a funnel called the pelvi-ureteric junction(PUJ). In some children there can be a partial blockage at the PUJ. The blockage may be severe (high grade), minimal (low grade) or intermittent. This leads to kidney swelling and eventually loss of kidney function.

• What are symptoms of PUJ obstruction in a child?

  The obstruction is usually due to an abnormality in the development of the muscle at the PUJ and causes urine to back up into the kidney. We detect many patients with PUJ problems before birth because of enlargement of the kidney (antenatal or fetal hydronephrosis) seen on the prenatal ultrasound. Older children may have pain (related to the blockage), urine infection (due to stagnation of urine caused by the PUJ blockage), or kidney stones. Prolonged blockage, particularly with infection, can damage the kidney.

• How is PUJ obstruction diagnosed?

  Ultrasonography is the basic screening test which tells about the degree and severity of hydronephrosis (enlargement of the kidney) related to the PUJ obstruction. Further, a diuretic renal scan (DRS) is needed to evaluate the urinary flow across PUJ and function of the kidneys.

• How is PUJ obstruction treated?

  The usual repair of a PUJ obstruction (pyeloplasty) involves removing the blockage and reconnecting the ureter to the renal pelvis. Depending on the individual circumstances a tube may be left across the pyeloplasty (DJ stent) or a tube may be left above the repair to decompress the kidney (nephrostomy).

• How is Pyeloplasty done?

  The basic steps of pyeloplasty as mentioned above remain the same. In some cases, the pediatric urologist may decide to do a Cystoscopy and a Retrograde pyelogram (RGP). This a special x-ray study done under anesthesia to confirm the site of block before surgery if there is any doubt.

  • Conventional Open surgery: Pyeloplasty is performed by a small incision on the side of the tummy in flank area.
  • Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty: The area of block is approached by key hole laparoscopic approach. Laparoscopic pyeloplasty is one of the most challenging reconstructive surgeries in pediatric laparoscopy. It involves dissection of the pelvi-ureteric junction, excision of junction & excess pelvis and then re-stitching the junction back properly through a telescope and two small key hole incisions on the belly. Laparoscopic pyelopasty may take a slightly longer time than open surgery but is compensated by a fast recovery and less pain post-operatively. There are hardly any stitch marks on the belly. Laparoscopic pyeloplasty is technically difficult in children less than one year of age due to the limitation of the working space in the belly and longer anesthesia times in smaller babies. It should only be done by top & expert pediatric urologist surgeons.

• How are children followed after pyeloplasty (repair of PUJ obstruction)?

  • The DJ stent is removed after 6-8 weeks by cystoscopy under a short sedation at 6-8 weeks after surgery.
  • Ultrasound is done after about a month of stent removal and a renal scan 3-4 months later. A child should be followed for at least several years after a pyeloplasty. Even after successful repair of a PUJ obstruction, the hydronephrosis in the kidney may persist and an ultrasound ay still "look abnormal".
  • Renal scan: We typically do a renal scan to confirm good urine flow as well as renal function 4-5 months after pyeloplasty surgery in children.

Dr A.K.Singal is a top pediatric urologist who does complicated kidney surgeries such as laparoscopic pyeloplasty in children. Dr Singal performs these surgeries at MGM Hospital Vashi and Mitr Hospital in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai. Children from all over Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Panvel and Raigad come for treatment of PUJ Obstruction under his care and best results.

Laparoscopic pyeloplasty in a child