Genitourinary Intervention

Genitourinary Intervention

A genitourinary intervention is an interventional radiology procedure that may be performed if your child has a blockage in his or her urinary tract. A blockage in the urinary tract can make it difficult for urine to pass from the kidneys to the bladder. If your child is unable to urinate due to a blockage in his or her urinary tract, an interventional radiologist can place a tube through the skin to drain the urine.

The most common types of genitourinary interventions are:

  • Nephrostomy tube. A nephrostomy tube is inserted into the kidney to drain urine from the kidney to a collection bag outside the body.
  • Nephroureterostomy tube. A nephroureterostomy tube is a long tube that is inserted into the kidney, down the ureter and into the bladder. It allows urine to pass freely from the kidney to the bladder.
  • Double J ureteral stent. A double J ureteral stent is a plastic tube that passes through the ureter. It allows urine to pass freely from the kidney to the bladder.
  • Suprapubic catheter. A suprapubic catheter is inserted into the bladder. It allows urine to drain from the bladder into a collection bag outside the body.

Interventional radiology techniques allow placement of genitourinary tubes and stents through a tiny incision. The interventional radiologist uses live imaging (X-ray or ultrasound) to precisely guide the tube or stent to the correct location.

A genitourinary intervention normally takes about an hour, including any sedation or anesthesia your child may need.

What to Expect

You can expect the following during a genitourinary intervention:

  • Your child will be given a sedative or put to sleep and monitored closely by an anesthesiologist.
  • The interventional radiologist will guide a needle to the proper location and inject a dye called contrast to make the area more visible through imaging.
  • The interventional radiologist will then guide the genitourinary tube or stent into place.
  • Once the procedure is complete, your child will be taken to a recovery room to wake up.
  • After your child awakens, he or she will be taken to a hospital room for care and observation. Your child will have some pain, so he or she may be given pain medicine.
  • You should expect to stay in the hospital for at least one night.

If your child has a nephrostomy tube, a nurse will show you how to care for the tube. If your child has a nephrostomy or suprapubic tube, he or she must visit the doctor every three months to have it exchanged for a new one. This is a simple procedure that may not require sedation. The procedure allows the doctor to examine the site of the tube and reduces the chance of clogging or infection.

Sometimes a child has bleeding where the nephrostomy or suprapubic tube comes out of the body. Rarely, infection can happen or a child may be allergic to the contrast dye used during the procedure. With a nephrostomy or suprapubic tube, there is a small risk of damage to the kidney or bladder. Speak with your child's doctor to learn more about the risks associated with this procedure.

Key Points to Remember

  • If your child has a blockage in his or her urinary tract, a genitourinary intervention procedure allows urine to drain outside the body or pass freely to the bladder.
  • Your child will be under sedation or anesthesia during the procedure.
  • Your child will need to stay in the hospital at least one night after a genitourinary intervention procedure.
  • If your child has a nephrostomy or suprapubic tube, he or she will need to have it replaced every three months.

Locations

Locations

In addition to our primary hospital location at the Academic Health Center in Indianapolis, IN, we have convenient locations to better serve our communities throughout the state.

Related Conditions & Departments

Departments