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Patent urachus repair

Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Patent urachus
Patent urachus
Patent urachus repair - series
Patent urachus repair - series

Alternative Names    Return to top

Patent urachal tube repair

Definition    Return to top

Patent urachus repair is surgery to repair a bladder defect. In an open (or patent) urachus, there is an opening between the bladder and the umbilicus that should not be there. An open urachus occurs mostly in infants.

Description    Return to top

Children who have this surgery will receive general anesthesia (asleep and pain-free).

The surgeon will make an incision (cut) in the lower belly. Next the surgeon will locate the urachal tube and remove it. The bladder opening will be repaired, and the incision will be closed.

The surgery can also be done with a laparoscope, an instrument that has a tiny camera and light on the end.

This surgery can be done in children as young as 6 months.

Why the Procedure is Performed    Return to top

Surgery is recommended for a patent urachus that does not close after birth. If the urachal tube is not removed and closed:

Risks    Return to top

Risks for any anesthesia are:

Risks for any surgery are:

Additional risks for this surgery are:

Before the Procedure    Return to top

The surgeon may ask for your child to have:

Always tell your child’s doctor or nurse:

During the days before the surgery:

On the day of the surgery:

After the Procedure    Return to top

Most children stay in the hospital for just a few days after this surgery. Most recover rapidly. Children can eat their normal foods once they start eating again.

Before leaving the hospital, the nurse should teach you how to care for the wound or wounds. If Steri-Strips were used to close the wound, they should be left in place until they fall off on their own in about a week.

The doctor may give you a prescription for antibiotics to prevent infection and recommend safe medicine to use for pain.

Outlook (Prognosis)    Return to top

The outcome is usually excellent.

References    Return to top

Frimberger D, Kropp BP. Bladder anomalies in children. In: Wein AJ, ed. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 121.

Update Date: 2/22/2009

Updated by: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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