The surgical treatment of retrocaval ureter

Ureteric obstruction resulting from retrocaval ureter may be due to either compression of the ureter by the vena cava or stenosis of the postcaval segment. If obstruction is due to stenosis, the commonly described operation of division and anastomosis through the proximal dilated ureter or pelvis, after repositioning of the ureter, is likely to fail, as is division of the vena cava itself. Excision of the postcaval segment with anastomosis of the spatulated ureter over a Silastic splint is therefore recommended. Three case histories of patients with retrocaval ureter treated surgically are presented and support this view.