Urinary Tract Reconstruction Specialist
Alex Lesani, MD
Robotic Surgeon located in Las Vegas, NV
Severe bladder dysfunction caused by kidney stones, trauma, or complications with previous surgery can lead to urine accumulating in the kidneys. Flank pain and other painful symptoms often follow. Dr. Alex Lesani, the most experienced robotic surgeon for urological conditions in Southern Nevada, provides urinary tract reconstruction procedures with robotic technology to repair impediments in the ureter, the tube that transports urine from the kidneys to the bladder. If you’re suffering from bladder dysfunction, don’t settle for less than the best surgical care. Call or schedule an appointment online today and find out more about how you can benefit from robotic surgery.
Urinary Tract Reconstruction Q & A
What is urinary tract reconstruction treatment?
Urinary tract reconstruction treatment refers to a surgical procedure that Dr. Lesani performs with laparoscopic or robotic surgical techniques to repair bladder dysfunction. The urethra is the tube that runs from the base of the bladder to open in front of the vagina in women and to the penis in men. It transports urine and sperm in men and urine in women. Urinary tract reconstruction treatment addresses ureter narrowing or scarring.
When is a urinary tract reconstruction necessary?
The urethra is a very delicate structure and can easily sustain injury from the passage of kidney stones, surgical instruments, prior radiation or gynecologic surgery. There are two common conditions that damage the urethra and call for urinary tract reconstruction treatment: Ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction and ureteral strictures.
UPJ obstruction is a narrowing of the kidney’s drainage system. This narrowing blocks the flow of urine from the kidney, most often at the point where the ureter joins the renal pelvis. UPJ obstruction typically appears in newborns, young children, and teens. It’s far less common in adults. Sufferers experience a buildup of urine that fails to drain from the kidney and may cause kidney damage. This condition, called hydronephrosis, is associated with pain in the side, abdomen, or groin. UPJ obstruction can develop in an adult as the result of kidney stones, trauma from prior surgery, or upper urinary tract swelling.
Ureteral strictures are scars that occur in the urethra, causing a narrowing of the urethra. This often leads to difficulty urinating, recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs), sexual dysfunction, and more complications. Here are some common causes of strictures:
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Pelvic irradiation for cancer
- Past urologic procedures performed through the urethra
- Hypospadias (birth defect of the penis)
- Previous surgery for hypospadias
How does urinary tract reconstruction treatment work?
UPJ obstruction is amenable to repair via a robotic or laparoscopic approach. Dr. Lesani performs robotic pyeloplasty through a small incision, allowing minimally invasive repair of the kidney’s drainage system. The robotic instruments allow him to operate with precision from a control console. With these instruments, he dissects the kidney, surgically clears the obstruction, and carefully reconstructs the urinary tract to repair ureter and kidney damage that urine buildup may have caused.
The procedure also helps prevent any future urinary tract obstructions. Other key benefits of robotic pyeloplasty include less pain, a shorter hospital stay, and faster recovery compared to traditional surgical techniques.
If you’re experiencing severe bladder dysfunction and want to learn more about urinary tract reconstruction treatment with robotic assistance, call or schedule an appointment online today.