Management of complete ureteral avulsion in ureteroscopy

Abstract

Ureteral avulsion is an uncommon yet severe complication of ureteroscopy. Among 8336 patients who received ureteroscopic procedures in our hospital from December 2001 to December 2011, we encountered two cases of ureteral avulsion. The first of these experienced disruption at the ureteropelvic junction due to extraction of the tubular ureter from the urethra, which was corrected by immediate open surgery to reposition and anastomose the ureter. The second patient sustained a proximal ureteral disruption following retrieval of the ureteroscope, which was wedged in the narrow lumen of the proximal ureter, and led to simultaneous extraction of the distal ureter. Immediate surgical intervention was performed to maintain ureteral continuity. Mild hydronephrosis was observed in kidneys that were ipsilateral to the ureteral avulsion in both patients. However, no physical discomfort or loss of renal function was indicated after 12 months.

Keywords

• ureteral avulsion
• ureteroscopy