Patent urachus repair Health Article

Definition

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.

Alternative Names

Patent urachal tube repair

Description

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.

• The surgeon will make three small incisions in the child’s belly. The surgeon will insert the laparoscope through one of these incisions and other tools through the other cuts.
• The surgeon uses the tools to remove the urachal tube and close off the bladder and area where the tube connects to the umbilicus.

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

Why the Procedure Is Performed

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

• Your child has a higher risk for urinary tract infections.
• Your child has a higher risk for cancer of the urachal tube later in life.
• The urachus may also continue to leak urine.

Risks

Risks for any anesthesia are:

• Reactions to medicines
• Breathing problems

Risks for any surgery are:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Blood clots in the legs that may travel to the lungs

Additional risks for this surgery are:

• Bladder infection
• Bladder leaks -- if this happens, a catheter (thin tube) is inserted into the bladder to drain urine. It is left in place until the bladder heals