
A ureteral obstruction occurs when one or both of your ureters get blocked. The tubes that transport urine from your kidneys to your bladder are called ureters. A blockage in your ureters can result from various illnesses and ailments.
Urine cannot enter your bladder and exit your body if there is a ureteral blockage. Urine can back up and harm your kidneys if the blockage is not treated and removed. In addition to causing discomfort, this increases your chance of infection.
To avoid kidney damage, maintain function, and alleviate pain, ureteral blockage must be treated timely. It can result in severe infections such as pyelonephritis, hydronephrosis, and renal failure if left untreated.
Additionally, early intervention lowers the likelihood of consequences like electrolyte imbalances and kidney stones.
Early intervention improves overall results and prognosis by enabling less intrusive procedures. The obstruction must be addressed immediately to preserve kidney health and avoid long-term problems.
Signs and symptoms might include:
Causes
A ureteral blockage can be caused by:
Risk Factors
Complications
The best way to avoid ureteral blockage is to concentrate on lifestyle modifications that reduce the chance of kidney stones, which are a frequent cause of ureteral blockage. These include:
Kidney Stone Removal: Urinary obstruction is treated via kidney stone removal procedures, such as ureteroscopy, to remove the obstructing stones and restore urine flow.
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL): ESWL (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy) is typically used for urethral obstruction caused by ureteral stones or kidney stones.
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Hypospadias surgery: Sometimes, Hypospadias surgery is specifically done to correct congenital abnormalities in the male urethra, not blockages in the ureter.
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Percutaneous nephrostomy: To drain the kidney directly, your doctor will place a tube through your back during a percutaneous nephrostomy.
Ureteral stent: A hollow tube called a ureteral stent is placed inside the ureter to maintain its opening.
The goals of ureteral obstruction rehabilitation are to manage symptoms, prevent recurrence, and improve overall urinary tract and kidney health.









Faridabad, India
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Bangalore, India
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Ghaziabad, India
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Depending on whether kidney damage occurred during the time that urine was unable to drain, your prognosis for ureteral obstruction will change. Urinary obstruction typically has no significant long-term repercussions if your doctor removes the obstruction before considerable kidney damage develops. If left untreated, a significant ureteral blockage can result in kidney failure and even death.
Men are more likely than women to have urethral blockage, mainly when it results from diseases like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). But urethral blockage can also occur in women, typically as a result of bladder prolapse or urethral strictures.
The length of recovery varies according to the surgery. Recovery from less invasive procedures like urethrotomy or dilatation could take a few days to a week. Recovery from more involved procedures, such as tumour excision or prostate surgery, may take several weeks.
In general, urethral blockage treatment in India has a high success rate. Depending on the severity and underlying cause, success rates for medications, non-surgical procedures, and operations range from 70 to 95 per cent. Early diagnosis, advanced medical facilities, and appropriate follow-up care influence positive results.
Recurrence of urethral blockage is possible, especially in urethral strictures, where scar tissue may regenerate. Routine follow-up with a healthcare professional is important to keep an eye out for recurrence.
It is true that urine retention, which raises the risk of UTIs, can result from urethral blockage. Infections may result from the germs that thrive in the retained urine.
An infection, trauma, or surgery can cause scar tissue to constrict the urethra, a condition known as a urethral stricture. The symptoms of urethral blockage may result from this constriction, which may restrict the flow of urine.

Gastroenterologist
18 Years of Experience
Dr. Ashish George is one of the leading names in HPB surgery & liver transplantation and has about 18+ years of experience.He is a principal consultant & unit head of liver transplant at Fortis Shalimar Bagh. View More
Last Reviewed - January 2026