Evolution in the approach to overlooked ureteral injuries after gynecological surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To analyzed the therapeutic results for patients with overlooked iatrogenic ureteral injuries after gynecological surgery, treated at the department since 1990. Before the era of endourology, ureteral injuries were operated on immediately after making a diagnosis. This approach was changed after the popularization of percutaneous nephrostomy (PN) and ureteral stenting using a JJ stent.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: 27 patients who were diagnosed with a ureteral injury between the first and sixty-fourth day after injury were included. Only PN was performed in 21 patients (group A). In 6 patients, a JJ stent was introduced either immediately after making a diagnosis or after PN (group B).

RESULTS: In group A, a good therapeutic result was obtained in only 6 patients (28.6%). Of the 12 patients subjected to PN up to two weeks after injury, 5 had a good result without a need for repair surgery. Of the 9 patients with an injury diagnosed after 3 weeks, only one had a good therapeutic outcome. In Group B, a good result was achieved in 5 out of 6 patients. In 2 patients, a JJ stent was introduced immediately after making the diagnosis, and, in 3 patients, after PN. A successful attempt to "tunnelize" a complete and long obstruction in the sixth patient failed.

CONCLUSIONS: Attempting to introduce a JJ stent should be the treatment of choice in patients with an overlooked iatrogenic ureteral injury. If an attempt to introduce the JJ stent fails, PN should be performed as a first step to manage the injury.