Megaureter (or “large ureter”) occurs when a ureter is larger than 3/8-inch wide. Megaureters are usually discovered in pre-birth imaging tests. Left untreated, megaureter can lead to infections, blocked urine flow and possibly serious damage to the kidneys.

What is a Megaureter?

Megaureter is a ureter that is much wider than normal. The ureters are the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. A ureter that is wider than 3/8 inch is a megaureter. A megaureter may not drain urine normally. Urine may back up into the kidneys.

How is Megaureter treated?

The typical surgery for megaureters involves putting the ureters back into the bladder ("ureteral reimplantation") and trimming the widened ureter ("ureteral tapering"). If your child doesn't have a urinary tract infection or decrease in kidney function, the surgery can be delayed until he/she is 12 months old.