Complications of ureteral endoscopy.

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Endourology

Background:

• Rigid ureteroscopy is a standard procedure for diagnosing ureteral lesions and treating ureteral calculi.
• Complications associated with ureteroscopy are generally considered infrequent.

Observation:

• A review of 128 ureteroscopic procedures performed over 3 years was conducted.
• The majority of procedures (98) were for stone disease.
• A total of 26 complications were recorded.

Findings:

• 22 minor complications occurred with no significant morbidity.
• Minor complications included ureteral perforations, stone migration into the kidney, and calculus migration outside the ureter.
• 4 major complications required surgical correction, including ureteral perforation, urinoma, intramural ureteral stenosis, and aseptic ureteral necrosis.

Implications:

• While generally safe, ureteroscopy carries a risk of complications that may necessitate further surgical management.
• Understanding complication patterns aids in refining surgical techniques and patient selection.
• The study highlights the need for vigilance and preparedness for managing adverse events during ureteroscopy.