Ureterolithotomy

What is it?

 

The removal of a stone from the ureter, through a cut or small cuts with telescopes passed into the abdomen.  The ureter is the tube that drains urine from the kidney to the bladder. A stent is often placed to aid drainage of urine from the kidney.

 

Before the cystoscopy

 

You will be told when to stop eating and drinking prior to the procedure.  You should discuss with Dr Bourne before the procedure if you have any allergies or any medication you are taking, particularly if Aspirin / Arthritis medication or Warfarin.

 

General Risks

  • Small areas of the lungs may collapse, increasing the risk of chest infection.  This may need antibiotics and physiotherapy.
  • Clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis or DVT) with pain and swelling.  Rarely part of this clot may break off and go t the lungs which can be fatal.
  • A heart attack because of strain on the heart or a stroke.
  • Death is possible due to the procedure.  

Risks or this Procedure

  • A leak of urine can develop from the cut in the ureter.  This may leak on to the skin surface and may continue for some time or may collect within the abdomen.
  • A narrowing of the tube may develop at the site of where the stone was removed.  This may cause damage to the kidney.
  • The stone or part of it may not be found and may move down to the bladder or back to the kidney.  The stone or fragment may not be able to be removed.
  • Deep bleeding in the abdominal cavity.  This may need fluid replacement or further surgery.
  • Infections such as pus collections in the abdominal cavity.  This may need surgical drainage and antibiotic therapy (wound infection).
  • Especially in male, there may be difficulty in passing urine.  A tube may need to be put into the bladder to drain the urine.  This is usually temporary until the bladder recovers.
  • The bowel movement may be paralysed or blocked after surgery.  This may cause a build up of fluid in the bowels with bloating and vomiting.  This may need further treatment.
  • A weakness in the wound with the development bursting of the wound in the short term, or rupture in the long term (hernia).
  • In some people, healing of the wound may be abnormal and the wound can be thickened and red and the scar may be painful.
  • Adhesions (bands of scar tissue) may form and cause bowel blockage.  This can be a short term or long term complication and may need further surgery.
  • Increased risk in obese people or wound infections, chest infections, heart and lung complications and thrombosis.
  • Increased risk in smokers of wound and chest infections, heart and lung complications and thrombosis.

Please notify us or present to the hospital if:

  • bleeding persists
  • high temperature develops
  • bladder irritation continues
  • severe abdominal pain

Stop the following TWO WEEKS prior to admission:-

 

  • Action
  • Aggrastat
  • Alka-Seltzer
  • Any Aspirins
  • Arixtra
  • Asasantin
  • Aspalgin
  • Aspirina
  • Aspro Clear
  • Aspro Tabs & Capsules
  • Astrix
  • Bayer Aspirin
  • Bex tablets & Powders
  • Cartia
  • Cardiprin
  • Codiphen Forte
  • Codis Morphalgin
  • Codral Forte
  • Codox
  • Decrin Powder
  • Disprin
  • Disprin Forte
  • Ecotrin
  • Iscover
  • Persantin
  • Plavix
  • Solcode
  • Solprin
  • Spren
  • Veganin
  • Vincents Tabs & Powders
  • Winsprin

 

Stop the following SEVEN DAYS prior to admission:-


Anti-inflammatory drugs:

 

  • Acliln
  • ACT-3
  • Actriprofen
  • Arthrexin
  • Brufen
  • Butazolidin
  • Celebrix
  • Clinoril
  • Clunisol
  • Declofenac
  • Diflunisal
  • Dolobid
  • Fledene
  • Feldene-D
  • Fenac
  • Ibuprofen
  • Indocid
  • Indomed
  • Indomethacin
  • Inza
  • Ketoprofen
  • Ketoralac
  • Mefenemix Acid
  • Mefic
  • Mobilis
  • Mobilis-D
  • Naprogesic
  • Naprosyn
  • Naproxen
  • Nurofen
  • Orudis
  • Oruvail
  • Phenylbutazone
  • Piroxicam
  • Ponstan
  • Proxen
  • Rafen
  • Sulindac
  • Surgam
  • Tenoxicam
  • Tiaprofenic Acid
  • Tilcotil
  • Toradol
  • Voltaren
  • Vioxx

 

ANTICOAGULANTS

 

If you are taking MAREVAN, DINDEVAN OR WARFARIN, TICLID, TICLOPIDINE, COUMADIN take half dose for ONE day, FIVE days before the operation, then stop the tablets FIVE days before the operation. Discuss this with your Physician, as some patient Need Heparin injections when they cease taking these tablets. The tablets should not be resumed until TWO weeks after the operation, unless otherwise advised by your Physician or Surgeon.

 

Panadol, Panadeine or Digesic may be taken for pain relief.

 

PLEASE ENSURE DOCTOR IS AWARE OF ALL DRUGS, PILLS, MEDICATIONS ON OR OFF PRESCRIPTION THAT YOU TAKE, EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT ON THE ABOVE LIST.