Robotic Pyeloplasty

Robotic pyeloplasty is a minimally-invasive procedure. It’s done to remove a blockage where the kidney and ureter meet. This is called the ureteropelvic junction. You have two kidneys and each are about the size of your fist. Kidneys are near the middle of your back, just below your rib cage. Ureters are the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. When everything is working normally, urine formed by the kidney drains into a funnel shaped area called the renal pelvis.

A ureteropelvic junction obstruction occurs when the urine flow between the renal pelvis and ureter slows down or stops completely. This blockage causes urine to build up and can cause damage to the kidney. Pain, kidney stones, and a decline in kidney function are other problems that can occur. 

Robotic pyeloplasty is one way to treat ureteropelvic junction obstruction. During the procedure, the abdominal cavity is filled with CO2 gas and laparoscopic instruments are placed through small ports. Then, the surgeon uses these small instruments to reach the affected kidney and to remove the blockage. After that, the urinary tract is reconstructed to repair any damage to the kidney and ureter. 

Benefits of robotic pyeloplasty include faster healing, less scarring and less post-surgery pain compared with other surgical methods.