What Is Ureterolithotomy?

: Admin : 2021-10-30

The renal system is formed of two bean-shaped organs called kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. The function of the urinary system is to filter toxic waste from the blood and remove excess water from the body. The kidneys separate the blood, from toxins and waste products which is drained into the bladder via ureters in the form of urine. The vital nutrients,  later circulate back to different parts of the body, after the process of filtration is done by kidneys.

Ureters are two thin tubes inside the pelvis that carry the urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Calcium or uric acid stones are often formed within the ureter, that cause obstruction in the flow of urine. Pain with the intense urge to micturition is often felt by the patient suffering from ureteric calculi. Blood passes in the urine of a patient diagnosed with ureteric stone. A CT scan and an ultrasound are diagnostic procedures advised by the doctor to understand the pathology.

Ureterolithotomy is the laparoscopic surgical removal of the stone from the ureter. The patient is given general anaesthesia prior to surgery.  An incision is made across the abdomen after scanning the site of the ureteric stone. The stone is then removed, a stent is inserted into the ureter to keep it open. The ureter with surrounding muscles and skin are sutured back through stitches and staples. It takes four days to heal the wound, fluid drains from the tube implanted near the incision and urine are drained through the catheter. It takes about six weeks to recover post-surgery.

Ureteric calculi are successfully removed through ureterolithotomy. Robotic-assisted ureterolithotomy uses advanced technology for the surgical excision of ureteric stones. Surgical intervention is the only choice of treatment in case of large size stones up to two centimetres. The postoperative management of the patient is done by giving analgesics and periodical dressing using antiseptic is done near the incision to prevent infection. Later, the tendency to stone formation can be controlled by guiding patients to control or minimize calcium, oxalate and sodium intake, to prevent stone formation and drink up to three litres of water a day.