False-Positive Cystoscopic Diagnosis of Ureteral Obstruction After Hysterectomy Due to a Nonfunctional Kidney.

BACKGROUND

An estimated 0.2% of the population may have a unilateral nonfunctional kidney. This pre-existing condition may lead to the mistaken presumption that a ureteral injury has occurred when performing cystoscopy after hysterectomy.

CASES: Two cases are presented in which cystoscopy to confirm ureteral patency after hysterectomy was performed in patients with pre-existing unknown nonfunctional kidneys. These false-positive findings resulted in additional operative time, additional cost, and unnecessary surgical exploration.

CONCLUSION

Cystoscopy to confirm ureteral patency after hysterectomy may lead to an incorrect presumption of a ureteral injury in patients with a pre-existing nonfunctional kidney.