Immediate ileal ureter replacement for ureteral avulsion during ureterescopy

Complete ureteral avulsion represents a rare and fearsome complication of ureteroscopy, reported in less than 1% of cases. In literature there are few reports and different options are presented for its treatment. We present a case of a ureteral avulsion managed with ileal ureter replacement.

A 67-year-old man with a left proximal ureter stone was treated at our department with ureteroscopy. During retrieval of the instrument a complete ureteral avulsion was discovered, with a so-called "scabbard lesion". We decided to proceed with immediate laparotomy and we performed a ileal ureter replacement.

Ureteral avulsion is a rare complication but must be known as a possible complication in high volume center. There is no standard definition regarding its treatment, and in our experience immediate treatment with ileal ureter replacement proved to be safe and effective without any changes in renal function.