In This Section
Conditions
Causes of Kidney Disorders
Blockage of the Ureters
The most common cause of urinary obstruction in adults is kidney stones, although an injury or other conditions could cause the obstruction.1
In newborns and children, the most common cause of urinary obstruction is a congenital blockage that occurs as the fetus is developing. The obstruction occurs at the point where the ureter joins the renal pelvis — the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ). This is the area at the center of the kidney where urine collects and is funneled into the ureter (tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder).
During fetal development, a baby's kidneys first appear as buds inside the pelvis, near the bladder. As the kidneys develop, they climb gradually toward their normal position near the rib cage in the back. Sometimes, one of the kidneys fails to make the climb. It may stop after making part of the climb or remain in the pelvis. A child rarely has two ectopic kidneys. This problem occurs in about one in 1,500 children.2
In UPJ obstruction, the kidney produces urine at a rate that exceeds the amount of urine able to drain out of the renal pelvis into the ureter. This causes accumulation of urine within the kidney. This accumulation is also called hydronephrosis and is easy to see on an ultrasound. This allows the physician to predict the presence of UPJ obstruction before the baby is born.
Although much less common in adults, UPJ obstruction may be caused by kidney stones, previous surgery(ies) or disorders that cause inflammation of the upper urinary tract.
While clinical studies support the effectiveness of the da Vinci Surgical System when used in minimally invasive surgery, individual results may vary. There are no guarantees of outcome. All surgeries involve the risk of major complications. Before you decide on surgery, discuss treatment options with your doctor. Understanding the risks of each treatment can help you make the best decision for your individual situation. Surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System may not be appropriate for every individual; it may not be applicable to your condition. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits. Only your doctor can determine whether da Vinci Surgery is appropriate for your situation. The clinical information and opinions, including any inaccuracies expressed in this material by patients or doctors about da Vinci Surgery, are not necessarily those of Intuitive Surgical, Inc. and should not be considered as substitute for medical advice provided by your doctor. © 2010 Intuitive Surgical. All rights reserved.
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1Acute Unilateral Obstruction Uropathy - National Institutes of Health; www.nlm.nih.gov, URL: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000509.htm
2"Ectopic Kidneys", National Urological Association Foundation, www.urologyhealth.org, URL: http://urologyhealth.org/adult/index.cfm?cat=02&topic=122
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