A delayed diagnosis of iatrogenic ureteral injury results in increased morbidity

This study aimed to register and analyse outcomes after iatrogenic ureteral injuries (IUI) with special emphasis on potential consequences of a delayed diagnosis, and further to analyse if the incidence of IUI has changed during the study period. 108 patients treated for an IUI during 2001-2021 were included. Injuries due to endourological procedures, planned tumour resection and traumatic injuries were excluded. All relevant information to answer the research questions were entered into a database. Chi-square and t-tests were used for categorical and continuous variables respectively. Regression analysis was used to evaluate potential change of incidence in IUIs over time. Our results showed that most IUIs (74, 69%) were caused by gynaecological surgery. 49 (45%) had a delayed diagnosis (not diagnosed intraoperatively). Younger age (mean 50 vs 62 years, p < 0.001) and benign indication for laparoscopic hysterectomy (OR 8.0, p < 0.001) predisposed for a delayed diagnosis. Patients with a delayed diagnosis had a higher number of secondary injury related procedures (mean 4.6 vs 1.7, p < 0.001), hospital admissions (mean 3.0 vs 0.8, p < 0.001) and longer hospital stays (mean 20.6 vs 3.9 days p < 0.001) compared to patients with an intraoperative diagnosis. There was complete recovery for 91% of the patients. We did not observe any changes in IUI incidence during the study period. In conclusion, our study underlines that IUI can cause major morbidity for the patient affected if not diagnosed intraoperatively. Benign indication and younger age are predictors for a delayed diagnosis. The prognosis is good, with 91% full recovery. No significant changes in incidence of IUIs were observed.