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If symptoms are mild, the doctor might prefer to monitor the condition and treat symptoms such as urinary tract infection and backward flow of urine. Surgical treatments include endoscopic decompression and partial nephrectomy.

Choice of treatment depends on the patient’s condition:

  • Patient age
  • Overall health
  • Kidney function
  • Problems with urine flow
  • Blockage of urine by a ureterocele
  • Parents’ and surgeon’s preferences

Diagnosis

Definition

Treatment

Ureteral duplication

A kidney has two ureters connecting it to the bladder instead of one Monitoring and treatment of symptoms if mild

Ureterocele

A pouch-like enlargement of the ureter at the end where it connects to the bladder

Ectopic ureter

A ureter that connects the kidney to a site other than the bladder—for example, to the urethra or the vagina
  • Partial nephrectomy to remove nonworking tissue from the kidney
  • Surgical reconstruction of the urinary organs

Treatment decision making

Fig. 1: Treatment decision making for congenital malformations in the urinary tract.
Fig. 1: Treatment decision making for congenital malformations in the urinary tract.