Hydronephrosis Treatment
Introduction
Hydronephrosis is the medical term for swelling of one or both kidneys because of urine accumulation. An obstruction in the urinary tract tends to cause urine flow to be impeded, leading to an increase in the size of the kidneys. If left untreated, hydronephrosis can become a serious medical condition that may result in potential damage to the kidney. Treatment for hydronephrosis generally aims to decrease kidney swelling, relieve obstruction, and prevent further injury to the kidney.
In this article, we will let you know about what Hydronephrosis is, its causes, types of treatment, how the procedure happens, the benefits it provides, possible risks, and the average price of treatment, especially in Indian countries.
What is Hydronephrosis?
Hydronephrosis is the dilation or swelling of the kidney(s) as a result of urine retention. The obstruction may be anywhere in the urinary tract, including at the ureter, bladder, or urethra. Hydronephrosis can be congenital and acquired, as it is brought about by many factors, including kidney stones, tumors, and strictures. This leads to the backup of urine and eventually swelling of the kidneys, accompanied by pain, and even a reduction in the function of the kidneys.
Why Hydronephrosis is Required?
Hydronephrosis Needs Treatment since continuous swelling of the kidneys can cause:
- Destruction of kidneys: The pressure created by urine accumulation can hamper kidney function, leading to renal failure in case it remains untreated.
- Infection: Stagnant urine in the kidneys enhances the onset of UTIs, which makes this complication worse.
- Pain: Hydronephrosis may cause severe pain or agony in the affected kidney(s), which without treatment may progressively increase.
- Loss of function: With time, if left untreated, Hydronephrosis can lead to permanent damage to the kidneys; hence, the sooner it is treated, the better.
Types of Hydronephrosis
There are two major types of Hydronephrosis:
- Unilateral Hydronephrosis: Only one kidney is affected. It may arise because of kidney stone formation, infections, or obstruction of one of the ureters.
- Bilateral Hydronephrosis: Both kidneys commonly experience effects, mainly resulting from disorders such as prostate enlargement or congenital abnormalities in the urinary tract.
Steps in Treatment Procedure
Treatment of Hydronephrosis varies depending on the cause of the obstruction, as follows:
- Diagnosis
- Healthcare professionals can diagnose hysteresis with the help of imaging tests, including ultrasound, CT scans, and MRI scans, which can define the level of obstruction and extent of swelling of the kidney.
- First Line of Treatment
- In some situations, doctors may place a catheter or stent in the ureter for unblocking so that urine passes normally; this is typically a temporary condition.
- Surgical Treatment
- Severe blockage may warrant surgical intervention with the removal of kidney stones and correction of defects in the internal structures or treating underlying causes that might be neoplastic or infectious.
- Procedures like pyeloplasty (surgery to correct a narrowed ureter) are commonly performed.
- Care After the Procedure
- For this purpose, healthcare teams closely follow up with patients after surgery to check that the kidneys are working normally and that there is no obstruction.
Benefits of Hydronephrosis
Hydronephrosis treatment provides the following advantages:
- Restoration of kidney function: Kidney function can be restored to normal by removing the obstruction, thus preventing further damage.
- Relief from pain: The cause of pain and discomfort caused by kidney swelling, namely, the cause and the accumulation, is removed.
- Prevention of complications: Proper treatment prevents kidney failure or recurrent infections.
- Improved quality of life: Patients generally tend to enjoy an improved quality of life following treatment with reduced discomfort and normal kidney function.
Hydraulic dilatation of Hydronephrosis
| Country | Average Pricing (USD) |
| India | $3,000 – $4,000 |
| USA | $10,000 – $15,000 |
| UK | $8,000 – $12,000 |
As seen, the cheapest is provided by India while maintaining quality. This is one of the major reasons why a lot of patients come to India for this procedure.
Top hospitals in India to get Hydronephrosis treatment
Hydronephrosis is well treated in the following top-grade hospitals in India. Some of them are:
- Metro Hospital Faridabad
- Apollo Hospitals, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore
- Fortis Healthcare, Delhi, Gurgaon
- Max Super Specialty Hospital, Delhi
- Medanta: The Medicity, Gurgaon
These hospitals are reputable for their very experienced urologists and advanced medical equipment, and therefore, have success rates with the treatment of kidney conditions, such as Hydronephrosis.
Complications and Risks
Despite the safety profile of Hydronephrosis treatment, it is not a risk-free intervention. The associated risks and complications include:
- Post-surgical Urinary Tract Infections: There is the possibility of infections in the urinary tract that require antibiotics.
- Hemorrhage: This might occur during the surgery or as a complication thereafter.
- Recurring obstruction: Obstruction may be recurrent, thus requiring further interventions.
- Loss of renal function: In some cases, delayed treatment or significant kidney damage may result in permanent loss of renal function.
Recovery
Recovery following Hydronephrosis treatment is generally determined by the procedure undertaken. Typically:
- Stenting or catheterization: Patients can recover within 1-2 weeks and resume their daily activities.
- Surgical procedures: Recovery time can range from 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the complexity of the surgery.
Patients are advised to follow post-operative care instructions, including staying hydrated, avoiding heavy physical activities, and attending follow-up appointments to monitor kidney function.
