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Ureteral Surgery

Also known as: ureteral stricture surgery, ureteroplasty.

What is ureteral surgery?

Ureters are the tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder. If urine is not flowing through the ureters properly, then ureteral surgery might be needed to fix the problem.

What happens during the procedure?

The surgery is performed either with a laparoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera on the end) or as an open surgery. The surgeon cuts out the narrowed portion of the ureter and stitches the two ends together. Then the incisions are closed.

Is any special preparation needed? 

The patient may need to avoid food, drinks and certain medications before ureteral surgery.

What are the risk factors?

Infection, bleeding, damage to surrounding organs and tissues, pain, blood clots, leg swelling, trouble urinating and vomiting are potential risks of ureteral surgery.

Reviewed by: Rafael Gosalbez, MD

This page was last updated on: September 16, 2025 12:45 PM

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Urethral Stricture

The urethra is the tube that allows urine to drain from the body. When the urethra becomes narrow somewhere along its length for some reason, this can cause complications and is known as urethral stricture.

Laparoscopy

Laparoscopy refers to the use of a thin camera and instruments inserted through small incisions in the abdomen to perform operations that had been done with large incisions in the past.