Ureteral complications from laparoscopic hysterectomy indicated for benign uterine pathologies: a 13-year experience in a continuous series of 1300 patients.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of ureteral injuries and to discuss how to avoid their occurence after laparoscopic hysterectomy indicated for benign uterine pathologies.


METHODS
This observational study covers the period from January 1993 to December 2005 (retrospective study from 1993 to 2000 and prospective from 2001). We reviewed incidence, methods of diagnosis and management of ureteral injuries.


RESULTS
The rate of ureteral injuries was 0.3% (four patients). Three patients presented a ureteral fistula diagnosed secondarily some time after the operation. The fourth patient presented a ureteral injury that was diagnosed peroperatively. Three out of four of the lesions were observed on the right side. In every case, there were preoperative risk factors connected with a past history of surgery, or the lateral location of uterine myomas. All four patients needed ureterovesical reimplantation. The outcome was good in all four cases.


CONCLUSIONS
The rate of ureter complications after laparoscopic hysterectomy is low and comparable to that observed after hysterectomy by laparotomy. The risk should not prevent laparoscopic hysterectomy being used more widely. Prevention depends on training in the technique and the surgeon's experience.
Léonard
Franck
F
Faculté de Médecine, Service de Gynécologie Obstétrique II et Médecine de la Reproduction, Unité de chirurgie gynécologique, Groupe Hospitalier Universitaire (GHU) Ouest, Paris, France.
Fotso
Adolphe
A
Borghese
Bruno
B
Chopin
Nicolas
N
Foulot
Hervé
H
Chapron
Charles
C
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007045:Hysterectomy, Vaginal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020706:Laparoscopes; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012306:Risk; D014513:Ureter / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology*; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy*