Pediatric Ectopic Ureter

• Urinary tract infection because of poor drainage
• Drainage of pus from the vagina in infant girls
• Testicular infection in boys (epididymitis)
• Inability to control urination (incontinence)

Children’s National offers three techniques to treat ectopic ureter. Each child is unique and the medical team will work with the family to determine the best option. 

• Nephrectomy: If the entire kidney does not function because of the ectopic ureter, removal of the kidney is recommended. This is often done through minimally invasive or robotic surgery. 
• Ureteropyelostomy or upper-to-lower ureteroureterostomy: If the upper portion of the ureter shows enough function, one option is to connect the upper portion that does not drain to the right place to the non-obstructed lower portion of the ureter or pelvis of the kidney. This can be done with open surgery, laparoscopic surgery or robotic surgery. 
• Ureteral reimplantation: In this operation, the ectopic ureter is divided near the bottom and sewn into the bladder in such a way that urine drains well and does not flow backwards. This can be done with open surgery, laparoscopic surgery or robotic surgery.

Recovery depends on the treatment. However, infants and small children are usually hospitalized from one to five days after open surgery, depending on age, and one or two days after laparoscopic or robotic surgery. A small catheter may be left at the time of surgery, which is removed painlessly and quickly before the child goes home or in the office at a follow-up visit.

Source: http://www.urologyhealth.org/urology/index.cfm?article=123