Management of ureteric injuries during gynecological operations: 10 years experience.
OBJECTIVE
To present our 10 years experience in the management of ureteric injuries occurring during gynecological surgery.


METHODS
Seventy-six patients had a variety of injuries. In 29 cases, the ureteric damage was diagnosed intraoperatively. Management of early-diagnosed injuries included suturing, ligature removal, end-to-end anastomosis, and reimplantation of the ureter. In 47 cases, the injury was diagnosed postoperatively. Ureteric catheterization was attempted in all cases presenting with obstruction. Catheterization failures were managed with ureterolysis, and reimplantation. Small ureteric fistula were managed with catheterization, and large communications with reimplantation. Two cases with urinomas were treated with surgical evacuation and anastomoses.


RESULTS
Management of early-diagnosed injuries was relatively easy in most cases. Postoperatively-diagnosed injuries were more difficult to treat. Catheterization failed in 28/44 (65.9%) ureters and surgical re-exploration was necessary. Long-term morbidity was minimal and no relapses occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
Early recognition of a ureteric injury is the key to a complications-free repair. Unrecognized injuries cause prolonged morbidity, and their management can be difficult. Treatment of these injuries by experienced teams may minimize long-term consequences.
Sakellariou
Panos
P
Department of Urology, "Alexandra" Maternity Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Protopapas
Athanasios G
AG
Voulgaris
Zannis
Z
Kyritsis
Nikolaos
N
Rodolakis
Alexandros
A
Vlachos
Georgios
G
Diakomanolis
Emmanuel
E
Michalas
Stylianos
S
D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D008026:Ligation; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D014513:Ureter / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery