Pyeloplasty Surgery - FAQs

Pyeloplasty is an operation to correct a blockage that has occurred between the kidney and the ureter. The ureter is the tube which drains the kidney into the bladder. Removing the blockage allows urine to drain freely from the kidney to the bladder.

What can I expect from surgery?

A catheter (small tube) will be inserted through the urethra into the bladder during surgery to drain the urine. It is normal for the color of the urine to be red or pink with a few blood clots. The urine’s color will gradually become clear yellow. The catheter is easily removed at the bedside the day after surgery.

Your child may also need another tube, called a stent, placed through the ureter into the kidney to help to drain the urine while the kidney is healing. The stent is removed in the operating room a few weeks after surgery. This is a same day surgery procedure.

Another tube, called a drain, may be inserted in the area around the kidney and ureter to drain extra fluid that can collect during and after surgery. Once the drainage stops the drain is removed at the bedside. This will usually occur 1-2 days after surgery.

This surgery takes approximately one hour in the operating room. Most children stay in the hospital one night after surgery.

The anesthesiologist and pediatric surgery team members will prescribe and explain the medicines that will be used to keep your child comfortable. Pain medication is given through an epidural, intravenous catheter or by mouth.

Your child will have an intravenous line (IV) to provide fluids, antibiotics, and pain medicines. The IV will be removed when your child is taking a good amount of fluids by mouth. This usually occurs 1-2 days after surgery. Your child will be allowed to drink clear liquids once fully awake after the surgery. If this is tolerated, the diet will be advanced to a regular diet for age.

Important Notes:

• Please keep the office staff up to date with a change in phone number, address or pediatrician. We may need to reach you in an emergency.
• If your child becomes ill (fever, rash, cold) the week before surgery please contact our office immediately 410-328-5730.

Will I need to take time off from work?

Plan on a total of 4-7 days off work including the surgical day. This will allow for quiet days at home to recover from the surgery.

Do you have any tips for the day of surgery?

Bring for your son:

• A variety of favorite toys, music tapes, or books to encourage quiet time
• A special toy or security blanket that may help to comfort you child
• Extra pacifiers or teething toys to help soothe your baby
• A change of clothes and loose clothes to wear home from the hospital

Bring for Yourself:

• Any activity you enjoy to help pass the time
• Snacks or money to buy yourself a meal. Please do not eat in front of your child

It is best, when possible, to make arrangements for siblings to stay at home on the day of surgery, in order for you to participate fully in your child’s care.

What are the post-operative discharge instructions?

You will get a prescription for pain medications and an antibiotic.

Roxicet is a narcotic pain medication that can be given every 4-6 hours. Medicate your child as needed. Do not wait for your child to be in severe pain before giving the pain medication. Roxicet contains Tylenol. While your child is taking Roxicet please don not administer any additional Tylenol.

Ibuprofen(Advil/Motrin) may be given in addition to/ or instead of Roxicet. Be aware that Roxicet may make your child sleepy. Both Roxicet and the anesthesia may make your child constipated after surgery.

Call our office at 410-328-5730 if:

• You child is making less urine than normal
• The urine smells bad
• The urine changes in color
• There is increased pain
• Your child has a fever greater than 101
• The incision looks red or swollen
• There is drainage from the incision

Do we do anything special to care for the incision?

A clear plastic dressing will cover the incision. If this has not fallen off after 5 days, gently remove it. The sutures are all under the skin and are absorbable. No sutures need to be removed.

When can my child go back to daycare/school?

Your child will need 7-10 days recovery after surgery. No vigorous activity or unsupervised play or physical education for 4 weeks postoperatively.