Final answer:
Ureteropyeloplasty is a surgical repair or reconstruction of the renal pelvis and ureter, usually performed to correct ureteropelvic junction obstruction and restore normal urine flow from the kidney to the bladder.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ureteropyeloplasty is a surgical procedure that involves the repair or reconstruction of the renal pelvis and the ureter, the tube-like structures that transport urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. This surgery is often necessary when there is an obstruction or narrowing at the junction where the renal pelvis transitions into the ureter, which can lead to a condition known as ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction. Such obstructions can cause pain, infection, or damage to the kidneys.
The procedure generally involves removing the obstructed segment and reattaching the healthy ends to restore normal urine flow. The waves of peristalsis will then again propel urine from the renal pelvis, through the ureter, to the bladder in a process that is designed to prevent backflow, as the ureters pierce the bladder wall obliquely to create a physiological sphincter. Factors such as vesicoureteral reflux, prevalent in children born without this oblique connection, and pregnancy may increase the risk for urinary tract infections.
Alternative procedures to ureteropyeloplasty may include less invasive techniques such as the insertion of a stent to allow urine and obstructive kidney stones to pass or procedures such as lithotripsy, which fragments kidney stones using high-intensity ultrasound. Severe cases, however, may require ureteropyeloplasty to effectively alleviate the obstruction and prevent further complications.