Urologic complications of major pelvic surgery

The close proximity of pelvic organs makes the genitourinary system suscept ible to injury during major pelvic surgery. Iatrogenic injury remains the m ost common cause of lower urinary tract trauma. Recent modifications in sur gical technique, such as sharp mesorectal incision and nerve-sparing radica l prostatectomy, have decreased the incidence of many of these complication s. Genitourinary complications due to pelvic surgery remain common, however , and as new surgical advancements are made, new complications may present. All understanding of the prevention, recognition, and treatment of urologi c complications is important for every surgeon performing major pelvic surg ery. Semin. Surg, Oncol, 18:216-228, 2000, (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss. Inc.