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.

The urological complications of vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) – a literature review

The appearance of urological complications is a major problem in obstetrics and gynecologic surgery; the bladder is the most common damaged organ. Due to a continuous increase in the rate of cesareans, the incidence of urologic complications will be potentially higher. We reviewed the most important risk factors for urinary tract injury and analyzed the strategies necessary to avoid these situations during vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). The risks and benefits of VBAC should be balanced before deciding the mode of delivery.

The role of perioperative ureteral stenting for urologic complications in radical surgery of cervical cancer

Introduction: This study aimed to establish the urologic complications of radical type C2 hysterectomy in cervical cancer patients with or without ureteral stenting. Methods: This prospective randomized study included 76 (100%) patients with clinically and pathologically established cervical cancer stages I and II treated with radical type C2 hysterectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection for the last 5 years (2014–2019). Patients were randomized into two groups (2:1 ratio): group II received perioperative ureteral stenting ( n = 24, 31.6%) and group I did not ( n = 52, 68.4%). Urologic complications observed during follow-up include intraoperative ureter and urinary bladder lesions and postoperative ureterovaginal and vesicovaginal fistulas. Results: Of the 52 patients in group I who underwent surgery for cervical cancer, urologic complications were observed in 8 (10.5%) patients, 2 (2.6%) of whom underwent preoperative radiation therapy. In group II, urologic complications were observed in 2 (2.6%) patients, of which 1 (1.3%) received preoperative radiation therapy. Intraoperative urologic complications in group I (6.6%) included 3 (3.9%) ureteral lesions cases and 2 (2.6%) cases of urinary bladder lesions, wherein 1 patient received preoperative radiation therapy. One case of (1.3%) urinary bladder lesion was observed in group II. Postoperative complications were observed in 3 patients (3.9%) in group I, including 2 (2.6%) ureterovaginal fistula cases, wherein 1 (1.3%) patient received preoperative radiation therapy, and 1 (1.3%) case of vesicovaginal fistula. In group II, 1 (1.3%) patient who received perioperative radiotherapy developed postoperative vesicovaginal fistula. Discussion: Urologic complications are extremely common during and after radical surgery (hysterectomy type C2) for cervical cancer. The cervical cancer stage had a significant effect on intra- and postoperative urologic complication rates in this study; however, no such effect was observed for preoperative radiation therapy and ureteral stenting, and significant differences were observed between the two study groups.