Hyderabad surgeons reconstruct damaged ureters, save kidneys in a complex 9.5 hour laparascopy

In a unique laparoscopic procedure that also preserved the patient’s kidneys, surgeons removed two 35 cm segments from her small intestine, reconstructed them into ureters, and connected them from both kidneys to the bladder on either side (bilaterally).

Hyderabad: In a complex surgery that lasted for nearly 9.5 hours, surgeons at Hyderabad-based Preeti Urology and Kidney Hospital, KPHB Colony, reconstructed two damaged ureters in a 52-year-old woman using laparascopy.

The unique laparascopy, which also managed to save her kidneys, involved taking two 35 cm segments from the patient’s small intestine, reconstructing them into ureters and later connecting them from the kidneys to the bladder on both the sides (bilaterally).

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The woman, who had undergone hysterectomy (removal of uterus) a few years ago, had developed infection, resulting in deterioration of both the ureters, which are the tubes connecting kidneys to the bladder. Due to non-functional ureters, the patient was suffering from infections, elevated creatinine levels, and declining kidney function. Post surgery, the patient is on her way to recovery.

“Typically, laparoscopic surgeries require only 3 small incisions. But in this case, due to the complexity and the need for multiple angles, we made 13 keyhole incisions. Since the ureters were completely damaged and narrowed, they were non-functional,” senior urologist and MD, Preety Urology, Dr. Chandramohan explained.