The indications for such a procedure are many. In patients with distal ureteric obstruction the back pressure of urine within the ureters and the kidney significantly impairs the function of the kidney. This will produce renal failure and ultimately death. Furthermore, a dilated obstructed system is also susceptible to infection. In many cases, there is not only obstruction producing renal failure but also infected urine within the system.
In the clinic
Renal transplantation is now a common procedure undertaken in patients with end-stage renal failure.