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Urinary and Genital Disorders (Children)

Kidney Scarring

05/26/2011

Question:

When surgery is needed to repair kidney scarring due to a uti how long does the prcedure take and is it open surgery?

Answer:

There is not a specific surgery to repair kidney scarring. However, surgery is often performed to correct birth defects of the urinary tract that predispose to kidney scarring if a urinary tract infection occurs. The most common birth defect of the urinary tract that increases the risk of kidney scarring with a UTI is vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), or urinary reflux. VUR has varying degrees of severity, ranging from mild, to moderate, to severe. Less severe VUR often resolves spontaneously over time. Surgery generally is reserved for children who fail medical therapy. These indications might include recurrent UTIs, and severe VUR that is unlikely to resolve. VUR can be corrected through a cystoscope as an outpatient (Deflux injection), through a lower abdominal incision (ureteral reimplantation), and laparoscopically with robotic assistance. The Deflux injection has a lower success rate, but has less pain compared to the other two options.

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Response by:

Jack S Elder, MD, FACS, FAAP Jack S Elder, MD, FACS, FAAP
Clinical Professor of Urology
School of Medicine
Case Western Reserve University