Ureteroscopy in pregnancy.

PURPOSE

We report our experience with ureteroscopy in pregnancy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From 1984 to 1994, 24 pregnant women with lasting symptoms of ureteral obstruction underwent diagnostic and therapeutic ureteroscopy. Most of the women were in the second or third trimester of gestation.

RESULTS

A rigid ureteroscope was introduced easily to the upper third of the ureter or into the renal pelvis in all patients. Ureteral calculi were extracted in 13 cases. There were no serious complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Ureteroscopy is a safe procedure that may be used to diagnose and extract obstructing ureteral calculi during pregnancy when conservative measures fails.