Robotic pyeloplasty

A ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction can block urine flow, leading to health problems like kidney damage or repeated infections. Our specially trained surgeons can perform robotic pyeloplasty, which removes the blockage without large incisions. This robotic technique is just as successful as open surgery, but provides a faster recovery and fewer complications.

Robotic pyeloplasty is minimally invasive surgery to repair a UPJ obstruction. A UPJ obstruction is one of the most common sites of blockage in the urinary tract. The UPJ is where urine leaves the kidney to go to the bladder.

A UPJ obstruction can cause:

• Abdominal pain
• Back pain
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Kidney and bladder stones
• Kidney infections
• Loss of kidney function

Only a urology surgeon who is trained and experienced in robotic surgery can perform robotic UPJ obstruction surgery. During robotic pyeloplasty, your surgeon:

• Makes four or five small keyhole incisions in the abdomen. One incision is for the laparoscope (camera), and the others are for the surgical tools.
• Uses the robotic tools to access the UPJ obstruction through the small incision
• Removes a small part of the ureter (tube that connects the kidneys to the bladder)
• Removes the blockage from the UPJ
• Re-attaches the healthy ureter to the kidney to restore normal urine flow and kidney function

Before robotic surgery, surgeons repaired UPJ obstruction with open surgery. This required a large incision that allowed the surgeon to view the kidney and ureter. Our robotic technique offers several advantages over traditional UPJ repair, including:

• Enhanced dexterity, steadiness and range of motion with robotic tools
• High-definition, magnified images that allow your surgeon to see inside via tiny incisions
• Less blood loss and reduced need for blood transfusion
• Less pain after surgery
• Less scarring
• Shorter hospital stay
• Shorter and easier recovery

When you choose Penn Medicine for robotic pyeloplasty, you’re choosing doctors who are respected leaders in robotic surgery. With our program, you benefit from:

• Highly trained doctors: Our urology surgeons are fellowship-trained, which means they have completed the highest level of training in their specialty. Their knowledge and skill allow them to perform delicate and complex surgeries, so you get the best results.
• Robust robotic program: Our team is one of the most active and experienced robotic teams on the East Coast. When your surgeon has more experience, you have a higher chance of a successful outcome.
• Care for rare or unique needs: UPJ obstruction can be congenital (present at birth). But care for congenital urology conditions don’t end when you become an adult. Our doctors have special expertise in treating adults living with congenital urological conditions, including those who have had previous surgeries and treatments.
• Expertise in the range of ureter conditions: No matter what comes up, our surgeons are equipped to help. We perform ureter reconstruction and ureteral reimplantation, which are specialized surgeries to remove blockages in other parts of the ureter.