Double-J ureteral catheters in gynecologic surgery

When ureteral injury is identified and properly managed, the gynecologic surgeon can expect good surgical and functional results with little or no patient discomfort or morbidity. The double-J silicone ureteral catheter is a useful surgical tool in this situation. The diameter of the ureteral catheter should be 7 or 8 French in most gynecologic surgical settings. It is better to select a length that is several centimeters too long. Intraoperative and postoperative care, including extraperitoneal drainage of the operative site, antibiotics, transurethral bladder drainage, and selection of the duration of urinary diversion, is important for a good outcome.