Ureteral Endometriosis and Silent Renal Loss: A Retrospective Study

Objective To present six cases of ureteral endometriosis with renal loss managed by a multidisciplinary minimally invasive approach. Introduction Severe ureteral endometriosis can potentially lead to urinary tract obstruction and silent loss of renal function. Nephrectomy should be considered and may be performed by a multidisciplinary minimally invasive approach. Material and methods Retrospective observational study of patients with deep endometriosis with ureteral involvement and consequently loss of renal function who underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy between April 2009 and April 2016 in a tertiary care university hospital. The clinical presentation, imaging characteristics, surgical findings, surgical procedures, operative time, blood loss, postoperative analgesic administration, mean hospital stay and recurrence rates were analyzed. Results The mean age of patients was 28 years (range 26 to 40). Mean overall operative time for the laparoscopic procedures was 382 minutes (range 310 to 705). Mean blood loss was 200 cc and there were no intraoperative complications in our series with no need to laparotomy conversion. Mean overall hospital stay was 157 hours (range 48 to 364). Regarding complications, a case of pyelonephritis and one of urinary retention were registered, the latter requiring bladder neurostimulation 2 years after surgery. All women remain asymptomatic in follow-up. Conclusions In ureteral deep endometriosis, nephrectomy should be considered for significant renal functional impairment associated with persistent ureterohydronephrosis and renal parenchymal atrophy. It may be performed by laparoscopy with minimal morbidity, minimal postoperative discomfort, and a short hospital stay.