eMedicine Specialties > Urology > Hydronephrosis and Ureter Disorders

Urinary Tract Obstruction: Follow-up

Author: Edward David Kim, MD, FACS, Professor of Surgery, Division of Urology, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, University of Tennessee Medical Center
Coauthor(s): Yvonne Katherine P Koch, MD, Physician, Department of Urology, Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals of Cleveland; Suzette E Sutherland, MD, Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Urologic Surgery, University of Minnesota Medical School; Metro Urology, Centers for Continence Care and Female Urology
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Oct 31, 2008

Outcome and Prognosis

The prognosis of urinary tract obstruction depends on the cause, location, degree, and duration of obstruction, as well as the presence of a urinary tract infection. The longer the duration of obstruction, the greater the severity of obstruction, and the presence of a concomitant infection can lead to a worse prognosis. The prognosis is favorable if the renal function is normal, the infection is cleared, and the obstruction is relieved in a timely manner.

Future and Controversies

As time goes on, new procedures emerge and old procedures are modified to relieve urinary tract obstruction. In addition, with newer cameras and equipment and the use of laparoscopy, surgical intervention is becoming more advanced.

 
Acknowledgments

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous coauthor Martin I Resnick, MD, to the development and writing of this article.



More on Urinary Tract Obstruction

Overview: Urinary Tract Obstruction
Workup: Urinary Tract Obstruction
Treatment: Urinary Tract Obstruction
Follow-up: Urinary Tract Obstruction
Multimedia: Urinary Tract Obstruction
References

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Further Reading

Keywords

urinary tract obstruction, obstructive uropathy, obstructive nephropathy, lower urinary tract obstruction, upper urinary tract obstruction, hydronephrosis, hydroureteronephrosis, urethral catheter, urethral catheterization, suprapubic catheter, ureteral stent, nephrostomy tube

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Edward David Kim, MD, FACS, Professor of Surgery, Division of Urology, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, University of Tennessee Medical Center
Edward David Kim, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Surgeons, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, American Society of Andrology, American Urological Association, and Tennessee Medical Association
Disclosure: Lilly Consulting fee Consulting; Astellas Consulting fee Speaking and teaching; Indevus Consulting fee Speaking and teaching

Coauthor(s)

Yvonne Katherine P Koch, MD, Physician, Department of Urology, Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals of Cleveland
Yvonne Katherine P Koch, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Urological Association and Endourological Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Suzette E Sutherland, MD, Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Urologic Surgery, University of Minnesota Medical School; Metro Urology, Centers for Continence Care and Female Urology
Suzette E Sutherland, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Medical Association, American Urological Association, International Continence Society, International Society for Sexual Medicine, and Minnesota Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

CME Editor

J Stuart Wolf Jr, MD, FACS, David A Bloom Professor of Urology, Director of Division of Minimally Invasive Urology, Department of Urology, University of Michigan
J Stuart Wolf Jr, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Surgeons, American Urological Association, Catholic Medical Association, Endourological Society, Society for Urology and Engineering, Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, Society of University Urologists, and Society of Urologic Oncology
Disclosure: Terumo Corporation Consulting fee Consulting; Gyrus-ACMI Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Chief Editor

Bradley Fields Schwartz, DO, FACS, Professor of Urology, Director, Center for Laparoscopy and Endourology, Department of Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
Bradley Fields Schwartz, DO, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Surgeons, American Urological Association, Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, Endourological Society, Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, and Society of University Urologists
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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