Urological complications following aorto-iliac reconstructive surgery

The incidence of urological complications after aorto-iliac graft surgery was prospectively studied in 49 patients and retrospectively in 35 other patients operated on more than five years before. Follow-up of all 49 patients was one year. In one patient a mild asymptomatic hydronephrosis was discovered after four months. Two patients developed urinary tract infections and two other patients a urethral stricture. Late hydronephrosis was encountered in one out of 35 patients. This patient had mild unilateral hydronephrosis. Based on the results of this study, routine examinations to detect hydronephrosis after aorto-iliac reconstructive surgery in patients with an uneventful course are not necessary. Intermittent postoperative catheterization of the bladder is advised to prevent urinary tract infections and/or urethral strictures.