ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF THE URETER AFTER SURGICAL TRAUMA

Background: The purpose of the study was to discover whether ultrasono graphy can be used in diagnosing ureteral complications during surgery . Methods: The study consisted of an animal experiment with five pigs, that underwent laparotomy, The right ureter was electrocauterized and transsected, and the left ureter was ligated. The type and frequency of peristaltic waves and the diameter of the ureter were recorded by p erioperative ultrasonography, Four patients with ureteral trauma durin g gynecologic surgery were also examined. Results: In the animal study six out of nine ureters dilated after the procedure. In seven ureters the contraction segment became smaller, and the lumen did not close p roperly during the peristaltic wave. The frequency of peristalsis dimi nished in all cases after ligation, Human ureters showed similar chang es when examined 1.5-48 h after surgical trauma. Conclusions: Perioper ative ultrasonography has great diagnostic potential as a method for n oninvasive evaluation of ureteral conditions during both laparoscopy a nd laparotomy.