The physicians and staff of the Pediatric Urology Group evaluate and treat your child’s pediatric urological condition with the expertise of a skilled professional and the compassion of a caring parent.
Normally, the kidneys produce urine by filtering the blood and removing waste. The urine drains from each kidney through a collection system that ends in a funnel-shaped structure known as the renal pelvis. It then travels through the ureter and into the bladder. An obstruction at the junction of the renal pelvis and ureter (ureteropelvic junction obstruction) can occur from a congenital narrowing of the ureter or a crossing blood vessel causing a compression on the ureter. The increase in pressure from the obstruction can cause dilation of the renal pelvis (hydronephrosis) and may result in the loss of kidney function. The resulting blockage can be symptom free and is usually detected during routine ultrasound exams. Ureteropelvic junction obstruction can also cause flank pain, bleeding, infection and kidney stones.
The traditional procedure involves making an incision over the affected kidney and identifying the narrowing of the ureter or the crossing blood vessel. The ureter is transected and the narrowing is removed and the ureter and the renal pelvis is reconnected with sutures. In case of crossing vessel, the ureter is transected and brought in front of the vessel and reconnected. Usually a thin plastic tube (stent) is placed from the renal pelvis down the ureter and into the bladder. This procedure is effective but requires a painful incision over the kidney area.
This same procedure can be performed with the assistance of the daVinci Robot Surgical System through four small incisions (8mm). Because of the special robotic instrumentation, cutting and suturing of the delicate structures can be performed more accurately and precisely resulting in less long term scarring. Hospital stay is usually overnight and children and return to school within 2-3 days. Pain is minimal because of the small incisions.
Pediatric Urology Group is the first in the state of Illinois to offer daVinci Robot assisted pyeloplasty in children.