Late presentation of ureteral injury following laparoscopic colorectal surgery

Iatrogenic ureteral injury is an uncommon but dangerous complication of abdominal and pelvic surgery. When recognized and promptly treated, most ureteral lesions heal without sequelae. Instead, undetected injuries may last for a prolonged period of time since symptoms and signs are usually subtle and nonspecific, even if evolution may be life threatening. In doubtful cases the diagnostic role of modern multiphase helical computed tomography is crucial. We describe the late presentation in the Emergency Department of a case of double left ureteral injury after abdominal surgery, and illustrate the appearance of the lesions at computerized tomography.