Ureteral injury in obstetric and gynecologic operations in Nigeria

Forty-eight cases of ureteral injuries resulting from obstetric gynecologic surgery were treated at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital between January 1978 and December 1987. Cesarean sections and cesarean hysterectomies were the leading causes of injury, being responsible for 18 (38%) and 12 (25%) of the cases, respectively. Ureteral transection was the commonest lesion observed, being noted in 29 (60%) of the patients. Attempt was made to reimplant the ureter into the bladder whenever possible, thus ureteroneocystostomy was performed in 27 (56%) cases while only 3 cases of end to end anastomosis were done. There was a case of mortality recorded from one of the referred patients. Forty patients recovered normal renal function after repair. Repair of ureteric injury as soon as the patient is fit for surgery is recommended.