RIGID URETEROSCOPY IN PREGNANT-WOMEN

Objective To report our experience with rigid ureteroscopy in pregnant women. Patients and methods Tell pregnant women (mean age 25 years, S D 4.5, range 22-33) with ureteric stones were treated by ureteroscopy. The mean (SD, range) gestation time was 24 (6.5, 19-33) weeks. A stan dard rigid ureteroscope of 11.5 F was used in eight patients and 3.5 F in two. The procedure was carried out with no ureteric dilatation in three patients and with easy dilatation in seven. Fluoroscopy was not used before or during ureteroscopy in any case, Ultrasonography was av ailable throughout the procedures for constant renal and obstetric mon itoring. Results Mid and lower ureteric stones were extracted by baske t or forceps in three patients and had to be disintegrated by ultrasou nd in two, Upper ureteric stones were displaced to the kidney, with pl acement of double-pigtail ureteric stents, in three patients who were subsequently treated after delivery. Ureteric oedema was seen in one p atient and the endoscopic findings were normal in the remaining patien t. There were no obstetric complications. Two patients had a urinary t ract infection and one complained of stent-induced bladder irritation. Conclusions Rigid ureteroscopy is a safe and reliable method in the d iagnosis and treatment of ureteric calculi during pregnancy. The proce dure can be performed with ultrasonographic monitoring and without usi ng fluoroscopy.