Ureteric complications of radical hysterectomy: role of catheters

Summary

Ureteric complications sometimes follow radical hysterectomy. Some gynaecologists use ureteric catheters during the operation hoping to reduce the frequency of these complications while others believe that they are not helpful.

The charts of 93 patients who had radical hysterectomies were reviewed: 40 had ureteric catheters in place for the operation and 53 did not. This study strongly suggests that ureteric catheters should not be used.