Treatment

The goal of ureteral obstruction treatment is to remove blockages, if possible, or bypass the blockage, which may help repair damage to the kidneys. Treatment might include antibiotics to clear associated infections.

Drainage procedures

A ureteral obstruction that causes severe pain might require an immediate procedure to remove urine from your body and temporarily relieve the problems caused by a blockage. Your doctor (urologist) may recommend:

• A ureteral stent, a hollow tube inserted inside the ureter to keep it open.
• Percutaneous nephrostomy, during which your doctor inserts a tube through your back to drain the kidney directly.
• A catheter, a tube inserted through the urethra to connect the bladder to an external drainage bag. This may be especially important if problems with your bladder also contribute to poor drainage of your kidneys.

Your doctor can tell you which procedure or combination of procedures is best for you. Drainage procedures might provide temporary or permanent relief, depending on your condition.

Surgical procedures

There are a number of surgical procedures used to correct ureteral obstructions. The type of procedure depends on your situation.

Ureteral obstruction surgery may be performed through one of these surgical approaches:

• Endoscopic surgery, a minimally invasive procedure, which involves passing a lighted scope through the urethra into the bladder and other parts of the urinary tract. The surgeon makes a cut into the damaged or blocked part of the ureter to widen the area and then places a hollow tube (stent) in the ureter to keep it open. This procedure may be done to both diagnose and treat a condition.
• Open surgery, during which your surgeon makes an incision in your abdomen to perform the procedure.
• Laparoscopic surgery, which is performed through a small tube with a light and a camera that allows your surgeon to see inside you. The surgeon makes one or more small incisions through your skin to insert the lighted tube and other instruments needed for the procedure.
• Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery, during which your surgeon uses a robotic system to perform a laparoscopic procedure. 

The main differences among these surgical approaches are your recovery time after surgery and the number and size of incisions used for the procedure. Your doctor (urologist) determines the type of procedure and the best surgical approach to treat your condition.