HF 5966

Caring for Your Child After Pyeloplasty

Your child had surgery to remove a blockage at the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ). This is the area in the urinary system 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 up to several weeks. This tube helps urine drain from the kidney after surgery while the ureter heals. Your doctor will tell you if your child has a stent or other type of tube in place.

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 pain.

Your child may take an antibiotic to prevent urinary tract infections while the stent is in place. If your child already takes a daily antibiotic, your provider will let you know of any changes to the medicines.

Your child should have a soft bowel movement at least once a day. Be sure they drink plenty of fluids and have a high fiber diet. You may use an over-the-counter stool softener such as MiraLax 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 different sensation when they start to empty their bladder. This will go away after the stent is taken out.

Activity

  • Your child should only do light activity for two weeks. 

  • Your child should avoid contact and competitive sports or activities that take more movement and energy such as swimming, swings, tricycles for 3 weeks. 

  • Please give your child sponge baths for the first 48 hours. Your child may resume their normal bathing 48 hours after surgery. 

Dressing Care

  • Your child has a small incision with a clear dressing and strips of tape on the wound.

  • Remove the dressing in two days. If the strips of tape remain on, leave them on until they fall off themselves.

When to Call

  • Has a fever greater than 101.5° F for 2 readings taken 4 hours apart.

  • Has vomiting that doesn’t go away. 

  • Cannot keep medicines in their stomach.

  • Has severe pain that doesn’t go away with pain medicine.

Follow-Up Care

If you have any problems, please call your clinic or doctor.

Pediatric Urology Clinic, Monday – Friday,

8:00 am to 4:30 pm, (608) 263-6420.

After hours, nights and weekends, the clinic number will be answered by 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, call 1-800-323-8942.