Chronic bilateral obstructive uropathy

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Bladder catheterization, female

Bladder catheterization, male

Obstructive uropathy - bilateral - chronic; Kidney failure - chronic blockage

The goal of treatment is to get rid of the blockage. 

If the blockage is at the bladder neck, a tube (catheter) inserted into the bladder area may provide short-term relief.

Surgery such as TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate) or newer techniques that use laser or heat therapy to shrink the prostate may be helpful if the cause of the problem is benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Other types of surgery may be needed for other disorders causing blockage of the urethra or bladder neck.

If the blockage occurs in the tubes (ureters) that move urine from the kidney to the bladder, a stent or nephrostomy tube may temporarily solve the problem. Surgery may be required to cure this type of blockage.

Antibiotics may be needed to treat urinary tract infection. If there is kidney failure, dialysis may be necessary.

If the obstruction is corrected before the development of renal failure, bilateral obstructive uropathy may be reversible.

If chronic renal failure develops, long-term kidney damage is likely. This can be life-threatening.

Patients with chronic obstruction are at a higher risk for post-obstructive diuresis, which occurs after obstruction is relieved (such as with a Foley catheter) and the kidneys have not had chance to adapt to the change and are unable to concentrate the urine. Thus, the patient voids large quantities of urine that hasn't been properly processed. This can also be a life-threatening condition and close monitoring is required.

If the obstruction was caused by a cancer, the ultimate outcome is determined by the extent of disease and its response to therapy.

• Chronic renal failure
• Post-obstructive diuresis
• Chronic or recurrent urinary tract infection
• Chronic voiding dysfunction (incontinence/urinary retention)
• Urolithiasis (stone formation)

Call your health care provider if decreased urine output or other symptoms of chronic bilateral obstructive uropathy develop.

Review Date: 05/03/2006
Reviewed By: Neil D. Sherman, MD, Urologist, Essex County, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.