Endo-urological management of iatrogenic ureteral injuries Endo-urological management of iatrogenic ureteral injuries Introduction Introduction

Introduction Since the introduction of modern upper urinary tract endo-urology and minimal invasive surgical techniques, both the aetiology of, and the ability to treat, iatrogenic ureteral injuries have, dramatically altered. Up to 20 years ago a wide variety of major open abdominal surgical techniques (end-to-end ureteral anastomosis, ureteroneocystostomy, psoas hitch, Boari flap, transuretero-ureterostomy, intestinal interposition, urinary diversion, renal autotransplantation and nephrectomy) were used. The concurrent morbidity and prolonged hospitalization associated with these procedures is well documented.1,2 However, improved instrumentation and endo-urological techniques have provided less invasive means of managing iatrogenic ureteral injuries, with a concomitant decrease in morbidity and cost.3