PUJO

I've never heard of PUJO. What is it?

Hi,

I would try to determine if there is a surgeon willing to do a laparoscopic pyeloplasty to remove the obstruction.  It the operation proved impossible your kidney could be removed by extending the laparoscopic surgery,

KenR

Jamal, if it were me I would follow the advice of your doctor.  Please do not fear having your kidney removed - I had my right one removed over 60 years ago with no problem.   Kidney removal has come a long way since then - whereas I had a large incision from the front of my body to the back, it can now be done via keyhole surgery so a much shorter stay in hospital and faster healing.  A friend of mine had it done this way two years ago and has felt fine ever since, and she is in her late 70’s.  I do hope that helps to reassure you.

PUJO means Ureto-Pelvic Junction Obstruction. The issue does not end up here. Even the other kidney is 20% working

Hi Kamal,

I think you will need to provide more explicit information if members of this forum are going to be able to make informed comment.  There is a big difference between 20% remaining within 1 kidney, and 20% remaining with both kidneys working.  I would be surprised to hear of a kidney removal if you have only 20% function remaining!

KenR

I am NOT a doctor.  But my understanding of PUJO is that it is a blockage of urine flow out of the kidney.  Usually this is corrected by surgical techniques if the kidney has good function.  But in some cases the kidney is removed if it is poor function.  Certainly you should follow your doctors advice and direction.  Perhaps you want to get a second opinion before you proceed.  This would give you the assurance that the removal is absolutely necessary.  As many on here will tell you that removal of one of your kidneys is something that always causes fear.  But if your other kidney is functioning well that is good news.  While the internet can provide a lot of valuable information it can also give a lot of false hope, misinformation, generalizations.  We can all share our experiences.  Support you with how we each live with our CKD.  Can be good listeners to your concerns.  But in the end it is necessary for you to follow what your medical team advises.  They are not just saying to you we should remove the kidney because they have nothing better to do.  Again, get a second opinion.  Go to a doctor that can access the results of all your already performed tests (scans, blood work, etc.) so you don't have to do that again, and get their advice.

I can understand how stressful this must be for you. I would definitely seek out a second opinion. If that opinion is markedly different from what you've already heard, you may wish a third opinion to resolve the differences you are hearing.

But once you have reason to believe that this is the best treatment option for you, you may find it helpful to talk with your nephrologist about what he or she thinks your life will be like following the treatment, e.g., will you be in renal failure and need dialysis or a kidney transplant? 

This is, no doubt, a lot to absorb at once. So, take a deep breath and then just methodically work your way through the process. 

Marj