BACKGROUND: Transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte retrieval is a safe and well-tolerated procedure.
Complications are uncommon and usually limited to vaginal bleeding and pelvic infection. Ureteral injury following oocyte retrieval is exceedingly rare, with only 8 previously reported cases.
CASE: A 34-year-old woman developed gross hematuria 4 hours after transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte aspiration. Cystoscopy, laparoscopy, and retrograde pyelography revealed bleeding from the left ureter, no intra-abdominal bleeding, and a patent left urinary collecting system. The ureteral bleeding was successfully managed with placement of a ureteral stent.
CONCLUSION: Ureteral trauma during transvaginal-guided oocyte retrieval is a rare complication with a variable clinical presentation. If ureteral injuries are not promptly recognized, significant morbidity may occur. This case demonstrates that early identification of injury and timely intervention result in favorable outcomes.
Written by:
Catanzarite T, Bernardi LA, Confino E, Kenton K. Are you the author?
Department of OB/GYN and Divisions of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of OB/GYN, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL.
Reference: Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2015 Mar 18. Epub ahead of print.
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 25900060