Incidence, Healthcare Resource Utilization, and Costs Associated with Intraoperative Ureteral Injuries: Evidence from
Bogdan Muresan1, Tobias Heidler2, Kirsten Leyland3
1Astellas Pharma Europe BV, Leiden, The Netherlands. bogdan.muresan@astellas.com.
Advances in Therapy
|June 12, 2026
Summary
Intraureteral injuries (IUIs) are rare but lead to significantly higher healthcare resource utilization and costs. Targeted strategies are crucial for reducing IUIs and improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Surgical Complications
- Health Economics
Background:
- Intraoperative ureteral injury (IUI) is a significant complication of abdominopelvic surgery.
- IUIs can lead to substantial clinical burdens and economic costs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the incidence of IUIs.
- To assess healthcare resource utilization (HRU) and costs associated with IUIs in Germany.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of anonymized German claims data (2014-2021).
- Inclusion of patients aged ≥18 years undergoing abdominopelvic surgery with IUI risk.
- Calculation of IUI incidence proportions by surgery type and summary of HRU and costs over 1-year follow-up.
Main Results:
- Overall IUI incidence was 0.14% (217/159,581 patients).
- Highest incidence observed in proctectomy (1.03%) and hysterectomy (0.74%).
- Patients with IUIs experienced longer hospital stays (19.1 vs. 9.4 days) and higher total costs (€67,041 vs. €38,177).
Conclusions:
- Despite rarity, IUIs significantly increase HRU and healthcare costs.
- Targeted strategies are essential for mitigating IUIs and their associated burdens.
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