Management of symptomatic ureteral calculi during pregnancy: experience of 23 cases

ABSTRACT

To present our experience in the management of symptomatic ureteral calculi during pregnancy. Twenty-three pregnant women, aged between 19 and 28 years presented to the obstetric and urology departments with renal colic [17 cases, 73.9%] and fever and renal pain [6 cases, 26.1%]; suggesting ureteric stones. The diagnosis was established by ultrasonography [abdominal and transvaginal]. Outpatient follow-up consisted of clinical assessment and abdominal ultrasonography. Follow-up by X-ray of the kidneys, ureter, and bladder [KUB], or intravenous urography [IVU] was done in the postpartum period. Double J [DJ] stent was inserted in six women [26%] with persistent fever followed by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy [ESWL] one month post-partum. Ureteroscopic procedure and pneumatic lithotripsy were performed for 17 women [distal ureteric stone in 10, middle ureter in 5, and upper ureteric stone in 2]. Stone-free rate was 100%. No urologic, anesthetic, or obstetric complications were encountered. Ureteroscopy, pneumatic lithotripsy, and DJ insertion could be a definitive and safe option for the treatment of obstructive ureteric stones during pregnancy