Kidney and Upper Urinary System
The kidneys and upper urinary system perform vital functions such as maintaining the body’s fluid and electrolyte balance, removing waste products, and regulating blood pressure. Diseases that develop in this system can affect not only the urinary tract but overall body health.
Kidney and upper urinary system diseases may show no symptoms in the early stages, or they may appear with complaints such as lower back or flank pain, blood in the urine, and frequent infections. For this reason, accurate diagnosis, timely intervention, and an appropriate treatment approach are of great importance.
Which Organs Does the Kidney and Upper Urinary System Cover?
The structures evaluated under this heading are as follows:
The kidneys
The renal pelvis (pelvis renalis)
The ureters (the channels that carry urine from the kidney to the bladder)
The adrenal glands
Diseases that develop in these structures should be evaluated correctly before they lead to loss of function.
Kidney and Upper Urinary System Diseases
The most common diseases in this area are as follows:
Kidney stones and upper urinary system stone diseases
Kidney cysts
Kidney tumors and kidney cancer
Adrenal gland tumors
UPJ obstruction (ureteropelvic junction obstruction)
Ureteropelvic junction obstruction
Kidney-related urine flow disorders
Upper urinary system infections
The diagnosis and treatment approach differs for each disease and requires patient-specific planning.
How Is the Diagnostic Process Planned?
In kidney and upper urinary system diseases, the diagnostic process is evaluated together with the patient’s complaints, physical examination, and advanced imaging methods.
The main diagnostic methods used:
Blood and urine tests
Ultrasonography
Computed Tomography (CT)
Magnetic Resonance (MR)
Biopsy when necessary
The aim is to clearly determine the type and extent of the disease and its effect on kidney function.
Treatment Approach
The following factors are taken into account when creating a treatment plan:
The type and stage of the disease
The condition of kidney function
The patient’s age and general health status
Whether the disease affects one or both kidneys
Treatment options may include:
Medical (drug) treatments
Follow-up and active surveillance
Endoscopic procedures
Laparoscopic surgery
Robotic surgery
Today, especially in suitable patients, minimally invasive and robotic surgical methods offer the advantages of faster recovery and fewer complications.
The Role of Robotic Surgery
In kidney and upper urinary system diseases, robotic surgery is safely used in many areas such as:
Kidney cancer
Partial and radical nephrectomy
UPJ obstruction
Adrenal gland operations
Robotic surgery contributes to the preservation of kidney function thanks to high-resolution imaging and the ability to perform precise surgical maneuvers.
A Personalized and Scientific Approach
In kidney and upper urinary system diseases, the aim is not only to treat the disease but also to preserve kidney function and safeguard the patient’s quality of life over the long term.
For each patient:
In light of scientific data
Using current technologies
A personalized treatment plan should be created.
