Penetrating injuries of the ureter.

We reviewed 18 cases of penetrating ureteral injury encountered during a 10-year interval. Low velocity gunshot injuries occurred in 16 patients. All levels of the ureter were represented with near equal incidence. Stented ureteroureterostomy was the primary mode of management and had satisfactory results, with temporary urine leaks resolving spontaneously in 4 patients, responding to temporary catheter diversion in 1 and requiring reoperation in 2. Plastic stents were inferior to silicone or rubber materials. Colon and/or bowel injury was universal and was not found to justify alteration in the choice of surgical timing or technique, or to influence over-all results. Adequately drained urine poses no threat of cicatrical stenosis. Excretory urography is reliable and retrograde studies are dependable when urography is equivocal.