Urological injuries during obstetric and gynaecological surgical procedures

Urological injuries during obstetric and gynaecological operations carried out between Jan. '88 to Dec. '88, at a hospital involved in resident teaching programmes were analysed retrospectively. Each case was reviewed for predisposing factors, location and type of injury, time and method of recognition and management. Fifteen injuries were documented in 892 gynaecological procedures and 296 obstetric procedures. Twelve injuries occurred during gynaecological operations whereas 3 occurred during obstetric operations. Thirteen were bladder injuries and two were ureteric injuries. Infiltrating carcinoma of cervix, pelvic adhesions, adhesions because of previous operations and distorted anatomy, were the important risk factors.