Hazards of lumbar ureteroscopy: apropos of 4 cases of avulsion of the ureter
Martin, X.; Ndoye, A.; Konan, P.G.; Feitosa Tajra, L.C.; Gelet, A.; Dawahra, M.; Dubernard, J.M.
Progres en Urologie Journal de l'Association Francaise d'Urologie et de la Societe Francaise d'Urologie 8(3): 358-362
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 1166-7087 PMID: 9689667 Document Number: 496987
Ureteroscopy is frequently indicated in the treatment of stones of the pelvic ureter. Access to the lumbar ureter is associated with a higher complication rate: wounds, ureteric rupture, haemorrhage, or more serious lesions such as avulsions of the ureter. We present 4 cases of avulsion of the ureter seen in our department, corresponding to 4 men with stones of the lumbar ureter treated by ureteroscopy, 2 of them after failure of in situ extracorporeal lithotripsy (ESWL) and an attempt to "flush" the stone and the other two because ESWL was not available. The ureteric lesion was related to a Dormia catheter in 2 cases and the ureteroscope in 2 cases. The lesion was diagnosed and treated immediately in 2 patients and after a delay in the other 2 cases. Repair consisted of ureteric reimplantation on a Boari flap (1 case), implantation onto a psoas bladder (1 case), ureteroileoplasty (1 case) and autologous transplantation (1 case). Ureteric lesions prevented uretero-ureterostomy. Ureteric reimplantation on psoas bladder and/or Boari flap appears to be the simplest method, but it cannot always be performed. In the case of avulsion of the ureteropelvic junction with a large defect, autologous transplantation is a method of choice in young subjects. Ureteroileoplasty appears to be reserved for elderly patients.