Patent urachus repair

Definition

Patent urachus repair is surgery to fix a bladder defect. In an open (or patent) urachus, there is an opening between the bladder and the belly button (navel). The urachus is a tube between the bladder and the belly button that is present before birth. In most cases, it closes along its full length before the baby is born. An open urachus occurs mostly in infants.

Alternative Names

Patent urachal tube repair

Description

Children who have this surgery will have general anesthesia (asleep and pain-free).

The surgeon will make a cut in the child's lower belly. Next, the surgeon will find the urachal tube and remove it. The bladder opening will be repaired, and the cut will be closed.

The surgery can also be done with a laparoscope. This is an instrument that has a tiny camera and light on the end.

This surgery can be done in children as young as 6 months.

Why the Procedure Is Performed

Surgery is recommended for a patent urachus that does not close after birth. Problems that can occur when a patent urachal tube is not repaired include:

Risks

Risks of any anesthesia are:

Risks of any surgery are:

Additional risks of this surgery are:

Before the Procedure

The surgeon may ask your child to have:

Always tell your child's health care provider:

During the days before the surgery:

On the day of the surgery:

After the Procedure

Most children stay in the hospital for just a few days after this surgery. Most recover rapidly. Children can eat their normal foods once they start eating again.

Before leaving the hospital, you will learn how to care for the wound or wounds. If Steri-Strips were used to close the wound, they should be left in place until they fall off on their own in about a week.

You may get a prescription for antibiotics to prevent infection and for a safe medicine to use for pain.

Outlook (Prognosis)

The outcome is most often excellent.

References

Malek M, Mollen K, Richardson W. Surgery. In: Zitelli BJ, McIntire SC, Nowalk AJ, Garrison J, eds. Zitelli and Davis' Atlas of Pediatric Physical Diagnosis. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 18.

Martin AD, Roth CC. Bladder anomalies in children. In: Partin AW, Domochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 30.

Patel RM, Kaler KS, Landman J. Fundamentals of laparoscopic and robotic urologic surgery. In: Partin AW, Domochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 14.

Schoenwolf GC, Bleyl SB, Brauer PR, Francis-West PH. Development of the urinary system. In: Schoenwolf GC, Bleyl SB, Brauer PR, Francis-West PH, eds. Larsen's Human Embryology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 15.



Review Date: 1/1/2023
Reviewed By: Kelly L. Stratton, MD, FACS, Associate Professor, Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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