Health Encyclopedia

Patent urachus repair

Definition

Patent urachus repair is a surgery to close a defect of the bladder. The urachus is a tube that connects the bladder to the area where the umbiblical cord was removed (umbilicus). As the baby grows inside the womb, the urachus normally closes. When the urachus fails to close, the tube remains open (patent). This creates an abnormal opening between the bladder and area where the umbiblical cord was removed. The condition increases one's risk for bladder infections.

Description

While the child is unconscious and pain-free (using general anesthesia), an incision is made in the lower abdomen. The urachus is located and removed from the umbilicus and the bladder. The bladder opening is repaired, and the incision is closed.

Indications

Surgery is recommended for a patent urachus that does not close after birth.

Risks

Risks for any anesthesia are:

Reactions to medications
Problems breathing

Risks for any surgery are:

Bleeding
Infection

Additional risks include:

Bladder infection
Bladder leaks -- if this happens, a catheter is inserted and left in place until the bladder heals

Expectations after surgery

The outcome is usually excellent.

Convalescence

The infant can be fed normally and should recover rapidly. A few days of hospitalization is all that is usually required.

Review Date:6/13/2006
Reviewed By:Neil D. Sherman, MD, Urologist, Essex County, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

ADAM Quality A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.