Caring for Your Child after Pyeloplasty
Your child had surgery to remove a blockage at the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ). This is the point where the kidney drains into the ureter. This handout will provide some guidelines for care after surgery. Some children will have a stent or kidney drainage tube in place. This is a small tube in the ureter or kidney that stays in for a short time. Your doctor will tell you if your child has a stent or nephrostomy tube.
What to expect
- Your child may have some pain, tenderness, and/or swelling at the incision site. Your doctor will give you a prescription for Tylenol® with codeine for pain.
- Your child will take an antibiotic for about one month.
- Your child should have a soft bowel movement at least once a day. Be sure he eats a lot of fruits and vegetables and drinks plenty of liquids. You can use an over-the-counter stool softener, if you need to.
- You may notice some blood in your child's urine. This is normal. It should go away in 5 - 7 days. If your child has a stent in place, the bleeding may last longer or occur off and on until the stent is removed. While the stent is in place your child may also feel a small amount of pain when he starts to empty his bladder. This will go away when the stent is taken out.
Activity
- Your child may resume quiet activities, but should plan to relax for the first 3 -4 days after surgery.
- Your child should avoid contact sports and those activities that take more movement and energy such as swimming, swings, tricycles, etc. for one week.
- Please give your child sponge baths for the first few days. Your child may shower three days after surgery and resume bathing or swimming after the drain is removed.
Dressing Care
- Your child has a small incision with a small drain coming out of it on her lower back. It is covered by a small gauze that can be changed as needed. Your child may also have a nephrostomy tube draining urine into a bag. The nurses will show you how to care for that.
- If your child has a drain in, your doctor will take the drain out in 5-6 days when your child comes back to the clinic.
Call the Doctor if Your Child
- Has a fever greater than 101.5° F for 2 readings taken 4 hours apart
- Has vomiting that doesn't go away
- Unable to keep medicines in his stomach
- Has severe pain that doesn't go away with pain medicine
Follow-Up Care
A return clinic appointment will be made for your child before you leave. If you have any problems or questions, please call your doctor.
Pediatric Urology Clinic, Monday to Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (608) 263- 6420
After hours and weekends, call (608) 262-0486. This will give you the paging operator. Ask for the Urology Resident on call. Give the operator your name and phone number with the area code. The doctor will call you back.
If you live out of the area, please call 1-800-323-8942. Ask for the Urology Clinic.
The Spanish version of this Health Facts for You is #6237.
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 01/11/2012
Copyright © 01/11/2012 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. UWH #5966
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