Ureteral procedures and complications

Ureteral procedures and complications in obstetrics and gynecology encompass the diagnosis, surgical repair, and prevention of injuries to the ureter that arise during childbirth or pelvic surgery, as well as the fistulas—abnormal connections between the urinary tract and surrounding structures—that can result when such injuries go unrecognized or untreated. Obstetric vesicovaginal fistula remains a significant public health concern in low-resource settings, where prolonged obstructed labor can cause devastating tissue damage that leaves women with chronic urinary incontinence and profound social and economic consequences. Advances in laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery have introduced new considerations around iatrogenic ureteral injury, prompting ongoing research into which techniques and tissue substitutes offer the best outcomes for reconstruction. Open questions include how to standardize prevention and early-detection protocols across varied surgical settings, and how to scale up access to reconstructive care in the regions where obstetric fistula remains most prevalent.

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Keywords

Obstetric FistulaVesicovaginal FistulaUreteral InjuryDiagnosisManagementSurgery