Ureteral obstruction secondary to bifurcated aortic grafts.

We report three cases of ureteral obstruction producing hydronephrosis following aortofemoral bypass graft. In each case, the obstruction occurred in the area where in the ureter crossed over the limb of a Dacron graft. Ureterolysis relieved the obstruction. Most of the previously reported cases of this complication of bypass surgery occurred when the ureter was situated between the limb of a graft and the patient's own iliac artery. Various methods of surgical appraoch are listed. In some cases, ureterolysis is a suitable alternative to division and reanastomosis of the ureter to relieve obstruction.