[Controversies on the subject of traumatic lesions of the ureter]

Abstract

The injuries to the ureter, whether from external trauma or iatrogenic, are rare. Some problems are common to this type of pathology, independently from the causes of injuries. It is necessary a prompt diagnosis of the lesion to avoid the urinar leakage, the infection and the fibrosis of the ureteral's stumps. If the diagnosis is not prompt, the clinical pattern may be silent for some days; after, many complications will arise up: sepsis, urinomas and fistulas. When the lesion is incomplete, and there is no devascularization, the urine drainage alone, positioned above the level of the lesion, is indicated for spontaneous repairing. When the ureteral tissue loss is extensive, it is not enough a simple anastomosis between the ureteral's stumps; in these cases is necessary a more complex repair surgery or ureteral substitution.