UM Medical Center’s Robotic Surgery Program

Robot-Assisted Kidney Surgery

Pyeloplasty

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What is pyeloplasty surgery?

Pyeloplasty is an operation to correct a blockage that has occurred between the kidney and the ureter, which is the tube that drains the kidney into the bladder. By removing the blockage, urine will be able to drain freely from the kidney to the bladder.

What can I expect from the surgery?

A catheter (small tube) will be inserted through the urethra into the bladder during the surgery to drain the urine. It is normal for the color of the urine to be red or pink as a result of blood clots. The urine's color will gradually become clear yellow. The catheter is easily removed at the bedside the day after surgery. Another tube known as a stent will run through the ureter from the kidney to the bladder to help drain the urine while the kidney is healing. The stent is removed in the office a few weeks after surgery.

Lastly, the final tube, called a drain, will be inserted in the area around the kidney and ureter to drain the extra fluid that can collect during and after surgery. Once the drainage stops, this tube can be removed at the bedside, usually 1-2 days after surgery. This surgery lasts approximately 2 hours in the operating room. Most people have a hospital stay of 1-2 days and can be back to work in 2-3 weeks.

This page was last updated on: June 22, 2009.