bladder influx causing kidney infection

[ghbmeb]

Years ago, during an abdominal operation, a suture was mistakenly placed across my urether which cut off the flow of urine from my kidney to my bladder.  Thereafter, during emergency corrective surgery, my urether was cut and relocated in my bladder but the valve which normally stops urine from backtracking through the ureter to the kidney from the bladder no longer exists.  Now I have repeated serious kidney infections caused by reflux from my bladder.

What corrective procedures are available?  How succesful have they been?  What hospital has most expertise and experience in dealing with this sort of problem.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Hello - thanks for asking your question.

There are several options for reflux.  The first would be chronic antibiotics (either with Bactrim or Macrobid) to prevent the infections.

Open surgery is the usual technique for correction of reflux. Less invasive alternatives under investigation include laparoscopic extravesical implantation and endoscopic injection of materials behind the ureter to provide backing and a valve mechanism during bladder filling and emptying.

Studies shown that surgery can correct reflux in 98 percent of cases.  For medical therapy, studies have shown that reflux can be corrected in 15 percent after 5 years and 52 percent after 10 years.

To find another urological opinion, here is the website from the American Urological Association. You can find a urologist near you for a second opinion:
http://www.urologyhealth.org/find_urologist/

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.

Bibliography:
Rose, et al.  Diagnosis and treatment of vesicoureteral reflux and chronic pyelonephritis.  UptoDate, 2003.

[medicgal]

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