Kidney blockage is a condition in which, due to a narrowing or an obstacle in the urinary tracts, urine cannot flow normally though the urinary tract.

Surgical techniques

There are several surgical possibilities with which a kidney blockage can be resolved. There will always be an attempt to use the least invasive technique possible, and the most appropriate one for each case.

  • Endoscopy: An instrument equipped with a camera, light and the necessary cutting, suction tools, etc. is inserted through the urethra to unblock the tract and to place a stent, for example.
  • Laparoscopy: The procedure is similar to that of endoscopy, but the approach is done via an incision in the appropriate area of the body through which the laparoscope is inserted. On certain occasions, this operation can be robot-assisted.
  • Open surgery: Used to correct congenital malformations, for example, and on other occasions in which laparoscopic or endoscopic surgery are not possible.
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Causes

The blockage can occur in any of the organs or ducts that run from the kidney to the urethra, and it may be congenital or acquired.

The problem may originate within the urinary tract itself, or it may result from compression of the urinary tract by another organ.

The most common causes include:

  • Congenital malformations: If a narrowing is detected in the urinary tract, it may sometimes be treated with prenatal surgery.
  • Kidney stones.
  • Gallstones.
  • Urethral narrowing due to scar tissue (stricture).
  • Blood clots in the ureters or kidneys.
  • Colon, cervical, uterine cancers, etc.: Tumors may distort, obstruct, or compress the urinary ducts.
  • Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): The most common extrinsic cause. An enlarged prostate compresses the urethra, blocking the flow of urine.
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Symptoms

When urine cannot be expelled, it may flow backward toward the kidney, a condition known as hydronephrosis. This causes swelling of one or both kidneys.

Urinary retention is often accompanied by intense pain in the upper abdomen and back, on the side of the affected kidney. Hematuria (blood in the urine) is also common.

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Treatment

Since the causes can vary widely, treatment depends on the underlying problem.

  • Drainage: The first step in managing urinary obstruction is to restore urine flow immediately. Different methods may be used:
    • Catheters: A tube is inserted through the urethra into the bladder to allow urine to drain. This is a common measure but should not be prolonged due to the risk of infection.
    • Ureteral stent: Similar to coronary stents, a hollow tube can be placed in the ureter to keep it open and allow urine to pass.
    • Percutaneous nephrostomy: A drainage tube is inserted through the back directly into the kidney to allow urine to drain externally.
Specialties:
  • Urology