Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the management and current treatment options for ureteric complications after vascular surgery based on a series of 6 cases.
Patients and method: 6 patients were treated between 1990 and 1998 (mean age: 64.7 years) for ureteric complications after aortic bifurcation surgery. The mean interval between vascular surgery and urological management was 11.6 years (+/- 4.04). All patients were assessed by intravenous urography (IVU), and 4 patients were assessed by abdominal computed tomography (CT). These complications consisted of: 2 cases of ureteric stenosis, 1 case of inflammatory peri-ureteritis, 2 cases of chronic peri-ureteritis and 1 case of compression by a false aneurysm. The lesion was situated in the iliac ureter in every case.
Results: Treatment consisted of temporary double J stenting (n = 1), ureter release (n = 1), endoscopic dilatation (n = 1), psoas bladder reconstruction (n = 1) and corticosteroid therapy (n = 2), with 4 successes, 1 failure (corticosteroid therapy), and 1 death from another cause.
Conclusion: Ureteric lesion after vascular surgery is a rare complication, often discovered incidentally. The iliac ureter is predominantly affected. IVU and CT are the reference examinations. Treatment options primarily depend on the patient's general state.