Minimally invasive management of ureteral injuries recognized late after obstetric and gynaecologic surgery.

We evaluated whether iatrogenic ureteral injuries recognized late after obstetric and gynaecological surgery were likely to resolve with minimally invasive strategies. We reviewed our records of 30 patients with surgical ureteral injuries diagnosed after obstetric and gynaecological operations. From collected data, the outcome of minimally invasive strategies and operative repair was evaluated and compared. Thirteen patients were treated primarily by operative repair and 17 were treated by minimally invasive strategies including percutaneous nephrostomy drainage, ureteral stent placement, or both. All patients treated by operative repair obtained primary healing. Of 17 patients treated by minimally invasive strategies, 11 had recovery of injured ureters but additional procedures were needed in six. We conclude that minimally invasive strategies are not always successful in the management of ureteral injuries recognized late after obstetric and gynaecological surgery.