Botched Hysterectomy Obstructs Ureters and Causes Kidney Failure

Case Overview

This case involves a 29-year-old female who underwent a hysterectomy using a robotic surgical technique. According to the medical records, the patient’s ureter was cauterized during the procedure and was obstructed as a result. Several repair surgeries have been attempted with little to no success. The patient is unable to perform up to her previous functional capacity due to the placement of a nephrostomy drainage tube. There is not much optimism for a full recovery.

Questions to the Gynecology expert and their responses

How often do you perform this procedure?

I regularly perform hysterectomies, primarily vaginal, abdominal, or laparoscopic and sometimes it is with the assistance of the DaVinci robot.

Is this a known complication of the surgery?

Although ureteral injury is a known complication of surgery, it should not occur absent malignancy, severe endometriosis, infection or negligence.

About the expert

This highly qualified expert has served for 39 years as a board certified Ob-Gyn at a major medical institution. Over his career, he has acquired membership at such prestigious professional societies as the American Society of Reproductive Medicine and has been appointed chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at a major healthcare center.