Transvaginal color Doppler sonography of the ureteral jets: a method to detect ureteral patency.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the feasibility of the detection of ureteral jets into the bladder in obstetric-gynecologic patients using transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound.

METHODS

Fifty-two women were recruited and categorized into four groups: 1) 20 normal nonsurgical, 2) 17 post-cesarean delivery, 3) 12 post-total abdominal hysterectomy, and 4) three with only one functional kidney or ureter. In the first three groups, transvaginal color Doppler sonography was used to evaluate the time to detection of the first jet and the number of jets in 5 minutes bilaterally. In the last group, the presence or absence of the jet was documented only on the functional side. Statistical analysis was performed using Student t test and analysis of variance followed by Tukey honestly significant difference.

RESULTS

Urine jets could be detected bilaterally in all women except for those with only one functional kidney (accuracy 100%). Time to detection of the first jet did not differ significantly in the nonsurgical, cesarean, or hysterectomy patients on either the right side (P = .07) or the left side (P = .43). The total number of jets was similar in the nonsurgical and cesarean patients, but was significantly lower in the hysterectomy group (right side P = .006; left side P = .004). In the women with one functional kidney, the normal side was identified in all cases.

CONCLUSION

Transvaginal color Doppler sonography is a simple, accurate technique that can be used to evaluate ureteral jets into the bladder in women. The length of time to detection of the first jet is not affected by the postoperative status. Fewer jets should be expected in women who have undergone hysterectomies. This method should be used when ureteral integrity is in question, especially after surgery.