One of the most common conditions affecting the kidneys is urinary obstruction. After the kidneys make urine, the urine is collected in the central part of the kidney call the renal pelvis. The urine then passes into the kidney tube called the ureter and flows down into the bladder where it is stored until elimination. When a blockage between the renal pelvis and ureter occurs, it is called ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction. This blockage may have occurred before birth or may develop over time. Repair of the UPJ is called a pyeloplasty.

Pyeloplasty can be performed in children and adults with robotic-assisted surgery with more precision than conventional instrumentation allows. With Inova's state-of-the-art da Vinci® robotic surgical system, your doctor is able to perform a precise operation through a few tiny incisions with enhanced vision, dexterity and control.

During a pyeloplasty, the surgeon reconstructs or revises the renal pelvis to drain and decompress the kidney. Most commonly the surgery is performed to treat an UPJ if renal function is adequate. The surgeon removes the blocked area and re-constructs a new conduit using the tissue of the remaining ureter and renal pelvis.

Benefits of robotic-assisted surgery over open surgery include:

• Significantly less pain
• Less blood loss
• Fewer transfusions
• Lower risk of infection
• Less scarring
• Shorter hospital stay
• Shorter recovery time
• Better clinical outcomes, in many cases

Talk with your surgeon about whether robotic-assisted surgery is an option for you. Or call 1-855-My-Inova (1-855-694-6682) for a referral to one of our da Vinci robotic surgical specialists.