URETERAL INJURIES DUE TO STONE TREATMENT WITH THE ZEISS LOOP - THE PROBLEM OF LIABILITY

The evaluation of 319 urological liability files in 1991 yielded 4 ren oureteric (1.3 %) and 24 ureteric lesions (7.5 %). Within 15 years we were required to present an expert opinion in 4 cases of ureteral inju ry during Zeiss loop stone extraction which resulted in a nephrectomy in 3 patients and an end-to-end anastomosis. All 4 cases went to court . One case was withdrawn before the trial began, in one case the verdi ct led to the denial of a liability situation in the second trial; in two cases the patient was awarded 25,000 DM and 30,000 DM, respectivel y. Informed consent was available in all 4 cases, however, the court a rrived at the conclusion that the containment of the damage is essenti al and based upon early recognition and proper management.