Renal colic in pregnancy

Renal calculi are an infrequent but significant management problem during pregnancy. We reviewed all cases of renal colic occurring during pregnancy between 1979 and 1990 at Grace Hospital, a tertiary care obstetrical hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia. Of the patients 80 had a discharge diagnosis of renal colic and pregnancy during this 11-year period. Calculi were confirmed in 57 patients. Of the patients 66% were multiparous and 99% of the calculi occurred during either the second or third trimester. The most common symptom was flank pain seen in 89% of the patients, while greater than 95% displayed either microscopic or gross hematuria. Methods of radiographic diagnosis included ultrasonography and limited stage excretory urography. A total of 84% of patients passed stones spontaneously. Indications for urological or obstetrical intervention included persistent pain, sepsis, progressive hydronephrosis, solitary kidney or high grade obstruction. There were 37 procedures done in 23 patients. The most common procedure was placement of a ureteral stent. The complication rate associated with intrapartum intervention and stent passage in the 23 patients was 16%. All patients with a ureteral stent subsequently had spontaneous vaginal delivery without complication. A scheme for managing renal calculi in pregnancy is presented.