Surgical correction of the obstruction allows urine to flow normally. Open surgery is usually performed in infants, although adults may be treated with less-invasive procedures:

• Percutaneous technique -- the obstruction is corrected via a small incision in the side.
• Endoscopic technique -- the obstruction is cleared via a small instrument inserted through the urethra.

These procedures involve much smaller incisions than traditional open surgery.

A tube called a stent may be placed to drain urine from the kidney until the patient heals. A nephrostomy tube, which is placed in the patient's side to drain urine, may also be required for a short time after the surgery.

Rapid decompression of the kidney immediately following birth can substantially improve kidney function in an infant with UPJ obstruction diagnosed before the child is born. Early recognition and repair can also preserve future kidney function.

Most patients do well with no long-term consequences, although a small number of patients will require dialysis at some point in their lives as a result of this problem.

Permanent loss of kidney function (kidney failure of the affected kidney) is a possible complication of UPJ obstruction.

Call your health care provider if your infant has bloody urine, fever, a lump in the abdomen or if he or she acts as if there is back pain or pain in the flanks (the area towards the sides of the body between the ribs and the pelvis).