Chronic unilateral obstructive uropathy

Alternative names:

obstructive uropathy - unilateral - chronic; ureteral obstruction - chronic

Treatment:

Treatment focuses on eliminating or minimizing the obstruction.

Stents or drains placed in the ureter or in the renal pelvis may provide short-term relief of symptoms. Surgery to repair the cause of the obstruction is usually curative.

Expectations (prognosis):

The outcome varies. Damage to the kidney may be permanent. However, if the cause of the obstruction can be cured before the kidney fails, the damage may be temporary. If only one kidney is involved, the other kidney usually continues to function adequately.

Complications:

• permanent damage to one kidney
• decrease or loss of function of one kidney
• chronic or recurrent urinary tract infection
• hypertension

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if flank pain or other symptom of chronic unilateral obstructive uropathy develops.

Call your health care provider if symptoms worsen or persist despite treatment, or new symptoms develop.