A critical appraisal of the Boari flap.

Sixty-two ureters were reimplanted in 54 patients using the Boari flap between 1967 and 1982. The indication was mainly for operative injury to the ureter, but other causes of obstruction to the lower ureter were also found. There was one death from post-operative pulmonary embolism. With attention to details of operative technique--notably to the avoidance of tension and to the provision of adequate splinting and drainage--the procedure may be adapted to a wide variety of difficult surgical problems encountered in the pelvis.