Is Surgery The Only Option For An Infant With A Dilated Kidney When Diagnosed With Hydronephrosis?

Posted on Fri, 4 May 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 4 May 2018 Answered on

Mon, 9 Oct 2023 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi,

My 3.5 month old son is diagnosed with hydronephrosis. We knew from the pregnancy that his left kidney is dilated but now the doctor has advised us to go for an immediate surgery. I have attached the history in the reports. Could you please help us to decide if he needs to go for surgery? Is it safe to operate at such a small age? What could be the potential side effects from it? Are there any medications to avoid surgery

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
There is no medicine that can cure him.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for query .Based on the facts and reports of your 3 .5 month old son I would state that he has congenital Anomaly what is called as Pelvi Ureteric Junction (PUJ)obstruction .

During intrauterine life and development of urinary system in a fetus the collecting and urine draining system draining out urine from kidney to bladder system consists of two parts 1) Renal Pelvis and Ureter which is again divided in three parts ,These two parts unite in third trimester of pregnancy making a single draining unit called as Ureter .

However in few cases there is defective fusion of Pelvis of the kidney and Upper ureter resulting into either partial or total obstruction to flow of urine from kidney down into bladder what is called as Pelvi Ureteric Junction (PUJ ) obstruction .This leads to incomplete emptying of urine from kidney down into bladder which in it's tern leads to accumulation of urine in to renal pelvis .This causes back pressure on renal cortex a main functioning unit of the kidney and if left uncorrected may damage the kidney permanently.Hence this continuity has to be restored by an surgery so that effective drainage of urine from the kidney in to bladder is restored This saves the kidney from further damage .

There is nothing to be worried about surgery and the results of the surgery are permanent and encouraging .

Go ahead and get him operated at earliest .

Hope I have answered your query ,please feel free to ask if you have more questions,I shall be happy to help you
Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (1 hour later)

Thanks Dr. XXXXXXX this is really helpful. I am primarily concerned about the after effects of surgery on such a young child. I live in XXXXXXX do you have any recommendations for a pediatric surgeon?

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
The recovery in infants is awesomeNot to worry about it

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for follow up .

The recovery in infants is excellent as compared to adults There are no after effects of surgery .The development and growth of an infant becomes normal ,

You may consult any Pediatric Urologist in XXXXXXX .

Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar