Hydronephrosis after simple hysterectomy for benign disease: a prospective study

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and implications of transient asymptomatic hydronephrosis following simple hysterectomy for benign disease. METHODS: Over a 12-month period, 50 consecutive women undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy with or without bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were evaluated. Renal ultrasound to detect asymptomatic hydronephrosis, renal function tests and urinalysis were performed preoperatively and at 3 days and 6 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: Hydronephrosis was not identified in the early or late postoperative period in any of the 50 evaluated patients. Concomitant bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy did not have any impact on this result. CONCLUSIONS: We did not find any cases of transient asymptomatic hydronephrosis occurring after simple, uncomplicated hysterectomy for benign disease. This suggests that silent ureteral dysfunction does not occur as a result of the surgical technique itself. As such, any postoperative finding of asymptomatic hydronephrosis warrants further investigation.