Abstract
BACKGROUND: Ureteral injury during elective pregnancy termination is rare and has been reported only 8 times. Two of these cases involved avulsion, and 1 occurred during a second-trimester procedure. CASE: Ureteral avulsion and damage to the lower colon occurred during second-trimester pregnancy termination. Although the ureter was initially thought to be intact on direct visualization of the pelvic ureter and stent placement, pathologie evaluation of the curettage specimen revealed a segment of ureter. Subsequently, intravenous pyelography confirmed ureteral avulsion at the junction of the ureter with the kidney. This care represents an unusual situation, in which ureteral injury occurred at a site remote from the area in which injury is common. CONCLUSION: Although damage to the ureter at the time of uterine evacuation is unusual, use of intraoperative intravenous pyelography may be advisable when injury is suspected but not obvious. © Journal of Reproductive Medicine®, Inc.