Ureteral injury during aortic aneurysm repair by the retroperitoneal approach.

Three ureteral injuries (two proximal, one middle) associated with retroperitoneal repair of aortic abdominal aneurysms are reported. The authors believe these represent traction injuries that are related to the use of stationary retractors and suggest that complete anterior mobilization of the left kidney from its posterior fossa will decrease the odds of such an injury.