Risk Factors for Urological Complications Associated with Caesarean Section—A Case-Control Study

Background and Objectives: Acute urologic complications, including bladder and/or ureteric injury, are rare but known events occurring at the time of caesarean section (CS). Delayed or inadequate management is associated with increased morbidity and poor long-term outcomes. We conducted this study to identify the risk factors for urologic injuries at CS in order to inform obstetricians and patients of the risks and allow management planning to mitigate these risks. Materials and Methods: We reviewed all cases of urological injuries that occurred at CS surgeries in a tertiary university centre over a period of four years, from January 2016 to December 2019. To assess the risk factors of urologic injuries, a case-control study of women undergoing caesarean delivery was designed, matched 1:3 to randomly selected women who had an uncomplicated CS. Electronic medical records and operative reports were reviewed for socio-demographic and clinical information. Descriptive and univariate analyses were used to characterize the study population and identify the risk factors for urologic complications. Results: There were 36 patients with urologic complications out of 14,340 CS patients, with an incidence of 0.25%. The patients in the case group were older, had a lower gestational age at time of delivery and their newborns had a lower birth weight. Prior CS was more prevalent among the study group (88.2 vs. 66.7%), as was the incidence of placenta accreta and central praevia. In comparison with the control group, the intraoperative blood loss was higher in the case group, although there was no difference among the two groups regarding the type of surgery (emergency vs. elective), uterine rupture, or other obstetrical indications for CS. Prior CS and caesarean hysterectomy were risk factors for urologic injuries at CS. Conclusions: The major risk factor for urological injuries at the time of CS surgery is prior CS. Among patients with previous CS, those who undergo caesarean hysterectomy for placenta previa central and placenta accreta are at higher risk of surgical haemostasis and complex urologic injuries involving the bladder and the ureters.

MANAGING PLACENTA ACCRETA SPECTRUM IN LOW RESOURCE SETTING USING A NOVEL DISSECTION-FREE AORTA CLAMP: OPERATIVE TECHNIQUE

A novel over-the-peritoneum aorta clamp enabled a senior obstetrician, backed by a urologist, to manage 33 women with histopathology-confirmed Placenta Accreta spectrum, with no maternal mortality, relatively low incidence of blood transfusion and urological injuries in a limited resource setting. Easily applied by the obstetricians themselves, this clamp can be an effective and relatively safer alternative to intra-aortic balloon occlusion and aortic-cross clamping. We anticipate, obstetricians in low-resource settings can easily adapt our methods and contribute further prospective evidence.

A retrospective study of urological injuries during obstetrics and gynecological procedures

Background: Urological injury in obstetrics and gynaecology are not uncommon because there is a close anatomical association between reproductive and urological system. The objective of this study was to find out the incidence and types of urological injuries in obstetric and gynaecological procedures, clinical presentation and various management option in a tertiary care hospital.Methods: The study was a retrospective analysis of all obstetric and gynecological surgeries over a period of 6 years from January 2014 to December 2019. Cases with the documented urological injuries during these procedures were analyzed further.Results: Total 8595 patients had undergone different obstetrics and gynecology procedures, out of which 5429 were obstetrics and 3166 were gynecology surgeries. Out of 3166 of gynecology procedures, there were 16 cases (0.5%) of bladder injuries and one case (0.03%) of ureteric injury. Out of 5429 cases of obstetric procedures there were 11 (0.2%) cases of bladder injury and one case (0.01%) of ureteric injury.Conclusions: The incidence urological injuries during obstetrics and gynecological procedures are rare but the morbidity associated these are significant. Therefor surgeons should be more cautious and high degree of suspicion can help in early diagnosis and avoid the sequel.

High Riding Prostate: Epidemiology of Genitourinary Injury in Motorcyclists from a UK Register of over 12,000 Victims

Background: The mechanism of motorcycle accidents (high speeds, pelvis behind fuel tank) may predispose to genitourinary injury (GUI) but the epidemiology is poorly understood. Previous studies have assessed GUI patterns in cyclists, and road traffic accident victims in general, but no study has analyzed GUI patterns in a large cohort of motorcyclists. Objectives: We aimed to better understand patterns of urological injuries among motorcyclists admitted to hospital. We aimed to determine any relationship between pelvic fracture and GUI patterns or severity. Methods: The Trauma Audit Research Network was reviewed to identify motorcyclists admitted between January 2012 and December 2016 (n = 12,374). Cases were divided into riders (n = 11,926) and pillion passengers (n = 448), and the data analyzed to identify urological injuries and their associations. The associations between pelvic fracture and other injury types were tested for significance by one- and two-way χ2. Results: GUI was identified in 6%. Renal trauma was the most common GUI among riders (4%) and pillions (2%). There was no statistically significant relationship between grade of renal trauma and presence of pelvic fracture. Urethral injury occurred in 0.2% of riders and passengers, and bladder injury in 0.4% of riders and 0.7% of pillions. Urethral and bladder injuries were positively associated with pelvic fracture, which was present in 81 and 92%, respectively. Testicular trauma occurred in 0.4% of riders and 0.7% of pillions. Body armor was recorded in 3% of casualties with urological trauma, and 3% overall. Conclusions: A significant proportion of motorcyclists brought to accident and emergency department have GUI, most commonly renal trauma. Pelvic fracture is more common in pillion passengers than riders, and associated with urethral and bladder injuries, but it does not predict severity of renal trauma. External genital injuries are rare, but we recommend examination in the tertiary survey, as consequences of missed injury are severe. Further research is needed to explore protective effects of motorcyclist clothing.

Urological Injuries during Colorectal Surgery

The proximity of the colon and rectum to the organs of the urologic system virtually ensures that iatrogenic urologic injuries become a distinct possibility during complex colorectal surgical procedures. An intimate knowledge of urogenital anatomy as well as strategies for identification and repair of potential injuries is of paramount importance. Attention is mandated when operating within the narrow confines of the pelvis, as this is where these structures are most at risk. The ureters are at highest risk of injury, followed by the bladder and urethra. The nature of these injuries encompasses both functional and mechanical morbidities. Patient factors, including prior pelvic surgery, radiation, inflammatory bowel disease, infectious processes, and urogenital abnormalities all increase the risk of injury. As colorectal surgeons encounter an increasing number of patients with the above risk factors, it is important to be familiar with the various urologic injury patterns, their diagnosis, and appropriate management.