ureter damage during hysterectomy

Hello,
I had a laprascopic hysterctomy Oct 2010, and my right ureter was stapled shut. I too had to have nephrostomy drains, abcess drains, and the ureteral reimplantation surgery. I had the reimplantation on Jan 25, 2011, and have one more week until the stent will be removed. I am praying that my body feels somewhat like it use to before I had my hysterectomy. I too am wondering about medical malpractice and am wondering if anyone has pursued a lawsuit, and if they were successful.
Thank you!

Hello,

I am like many of you on here.  I had my ureter severed during an LAVH on March 1st but, this was not discovered until April 28th!!  I had 10 lbs of urine removed from my abdomen!  I kept calling my gyno with gastric issues and was referred to a gastroenterologist.  I ended up seeing two of gastros because the first one kind of blew me off and I just kept getting worse.  Finally, a CT scan indicated something wrong and the urologist found the problem.  Now, I have a nephrostomy tube and am scheduled for reimplantation surgery at Johns Hopkins on July 6, 2011.  The procedure I am having is called a psoas hitch.  No one has mentioned the name of their procedure. 

I'm wondering if anyone on this forum has had a psoas hitch performed. If so, can you tell me how it was for you and how you are now?

jcloke - how are you doing since your stent removal?

Lots of people have asked about medical malpractice compensation.  I, too, have looked into this.  We met with two lawyers.  Both said we only might have a case because of how long my situation went on - in other words, that my gyno kind of blew me off.  Not because he cut my ureter.  Apparently, that is a risk you assume with all those papers you sign and as long as he followed "standard of care", he is clear.  Unfortunately, that dye test that they can do at the end to make sure the ureters are attached is not "standard of care".  It is optional.

Jskunk and medic4414 - let me know if you found any success with a malpractice suit.  It just seems so wrong that not only are we suffering, but we have to pay for getting fixed too!!

lindacardellowalker - you are the first one in this forum.  How have you fared after your "fix"?

Someone please let me know your outcome (successful I hope).

Erin

 I had a hysterectomy in January where my right ureter was damaged. I came home from surgery to find I was leaking urine and had to go straight back to hospital. The doctors put in a stent for 3 months which became blocked and caused bleeding. I went back into hospital 3 months later under a different and highly respected consultant who changed my stent and put a catheter in for 6 weeks to keep my bladder dry and help the healing process.

 

5 Months after my hysterectomy the consultant called me back in to check on my progress and informed me if my ureter has not healed he will need to perform open surgery. He took me in for testing and to my great relief my ureter had healed by itself and there was no need for open surgery!  The stent and the catheter came out and I can once again live a normal life. 

 

It was a horrible situation to be in. With the catheter I was in hospital every 2 weeks with infection,  and the stent caused constant pain and spasms. Both the stent and catheter caused a lot of discomfort and I spent most of my time in bed.  My husband and daughters made sure I rested and did not strain my abdominal area in any way with house work, shopping  or any lifting.

 

My advice to all the women out there with the same problem is stay strong, have faith, pray and look after yourself there will be light at the end of the tunnel. You can completely heal again without side effects.  :-D

ErinVA, I had a TAH on July 19th.My ureter was cut and also had urine leaking.Got the Nef tube and I am still leaking. Found out yesterday I need to have my ureter re-attached to my bladder. Is this what you call a psoas hitch?I will be going to another doctor for this surgery.Hopefully soon because the pain and discomfort is out of this world.And YES the medical bills are pileing up!

Hi Hunnechyle. I have exactly the same problem as yours. We had the same procedure and became ill after 5 days. Then my vagina began leaking urine. My surgeon said he didnt do anything and can't explain to me why I am having these problems. He just told me to wait and see if my fistula heals. I consulted a new doctor about my situation and referred me right away to a urologist after she r/o vesicovagina fistula. It turned out my left ureter was damaged and my surgeon did not even know about it and would not admit it. So now have a nephrostomy tube on my left kidney and waiting for surgery to re-implant my ureter to the bladder. i've been through hell for the past 3 months. but I'm grateful that there is a solution. I want to file a surgical malpractice to my surgeon. Did you ever consider this?

Hi Medic4414,

I also had hysterectomy (laparoscopic supracervical) 3 months ago. After 1wk of surgery I had a pelvic infection. Then a few days after began vaginal urine leakage. My surgeon said he did not do anything wrong and this fistula will heal soon. But it didnt. After 2 months I consulted another doctor and she ordered all the xrays (ct scan, ivp and flouroscopy). She found out that my left ureter was dilated and the fistula is there caused by damage in surgery. I was referred to a urologist who put a nephrostomy tube on my left kidney right away since my leaking stopped and ureter obstructed. Now I'm scheduled next month for a ureter re-implantation to the bladder. It's been a horrible and painful 3 months since my surgery. Please let me know what to expect on this next surgery which you successfully had. I appreciate your help and advice.

I had a laparoscopic hysterectomy, and they cut my ureter, and went undiagnosed for 10 days.  I had urine flowing in my body cavity and flowing out of my vagina. Because of insurance,  I was not able to get in to see the Urologist for almost a month.  A nephrostomy with bag was put in place.  I was told that I would have to have this for 6-8 weeks in order to allow my system to dry out and then the ureter reimplantation to the bladder surgery could be scheduled.  The surgery is now two weeks away and I have questionsabout  recovery.  The physician said something about the tubes and stents that would be in place but I just wish I know more and could ask more questions.

 I also had a similar situation happen to me. I had a a hysterectomy in 2005, which lead to my utethra being damaged. I was in so much pain, after I was sent home from the hospital. I ad to go back to my doctor, so that I could find out what was wrong. After enduring more test, I found out the my right kidney was blocked. My urtetha was damaged and needed to be repaired. I was admitted back into the hospital, only to endure another surgury, that was unsucessful. Finally the urologist, said that I would have to go home to heal, before he could repair the damage. I had know one to help me. The OB surgeon never sorry, or anything. I lost 6 months of work, and my finances are still in bad shape. I just thank God, that he kept me through all of this. I couldn't get a lawyer to help me, and my OB doctor never called me again. I pray that this never appens to anyone else. Te pain was unbearable, Thank God my family helped me.

omg well i just had a hysterectomy last month and she cut my bladder during surgery, put a cath in for 2 weeks, then said it will b ok..yea.. rite my bladder just empties all day long, due to the fact i cant feel my bladder n e longer.. im olmy 32 with 4 kids and now cant work due to all this.... i thought i was the only one out there. this was most horrible surgery of my life and now i might have to have corrective surgery to fix what she messed up....:'(

On February 1, 2012 I returned to work without limitations. I have recovered however there was damage to the right kidney where the ureter was cut. The urologiest that I am seeing is keeping a close watch on my recovery for up to a year. Ultrasounds and x-rays that moniter how the kidneys function are being done every 3 months. My right kidney works at approx 60 percent while the left kidney picks up the slack. no plans to sue becasue I am getting the help to recover.

I just had this done last night. 3-27-12.They put a tube from my kidney to my bladder. Have to be this way for 6 weeks.(leftside kidney was blocked) How are you doing now?

In November 2011, I had a full hysterectomy.  I went home 4 days after surgery, but wasn't recovering well.  I started leaking urine as soon as I got home. I went back into the emergency room a day later and was re-admitted.  To my GYN's credit, he recognized something wasn't right and took steps to take care of it right away.  My right ureter had been cauterized during surgery and urine was filling my abdominal cavity.  Within a couple of days I had a nephrostomy tube in my right kidney and I lived with that and a bag for 3+ months.  In early March, 2012, I had my second surgery to re-attach my ureter to my bladder.  I woke up with an NG drain tube, a suprapubic catheter, a foley cather, and my nephrostomy tube still in place.  As the days went by, I was able to lose all but the suprapubic catheter.  I went home with that miserable thing and lived with it for 4 weeks.  I also had a stent in my ureter to keep the opening clear while things healed.  My urologist/surgeon was great, but that is just a horrible thing to have to go through.  I wouldn't wish it on anyone.  It is now June, 2012 and I have been recovering well.  I've been having some kidney pain the past couple of days.  I'm going in for a CAT scan tomorrow morning.  Praying that it is 'nothing' and my recovery continues like it is supposed to.  I rode my bike 10 miles last Saturday; 3 months after my ureter re-attachment.  I was feeling pretty good about that!!  Prayers for all of you going through this nightmare.  I know that it is very discouraging, but try not to let it get you down, there is light at the end of the tunnel.  Take care.

Venice0306 wrote:

hunnechyle wrote:

I had a Supracervical laporoscopic hysterectomy Oct 5. I went one & 1/2 wks before I became ill with a ureterovaginal fistula with urine gushing out of my cervical stump! It was God awful and unbelievable.
The Urologist successfully placed a stent into my right kidney & advised me to conservatively wait it out for 12wks to see if the ureter will heal. It was disclosed to me that my ureter was cauterized during the procedure.
Every study I have found pertaining to this condition seems to end in reanastomosis of the ureter. I have not been able to read anywhere where a ureter has actually healed as a result of the stenting.
I know that the Doctors stick together and protect one another, while also attempting to stay "far removed" from a medical legal issue.
It has put me out of work for 12wks, and I run the risk of losing my job entirely if I cannot be back in January, the first week.
It's comforting to know that I am not alone, although disturbing at the same time.
Did any of you ask your Gyne if he bothered to utilize dye into your ureters at the end of your procedures to assess the ureter's integrity?
it's not a required procedure, but it is a standard of care that indicates your surgeon is more thorough and cautious.. Something MY Gyne did not do or display.

I would love to hear feed back. I appreciate knowing again, that there are others. Sorry for what you are going through.

Hi Hunnechyle. I have exactly the same problem as yours. We had the same procedure and became ill after 5 days. Then my vagina began leaking urine. My surgeon said he didnt do anything and can't explain to me why I am having these problems. He just told me to wait and see if my fistula heals. I consulted a new doctor about my situation and referred me right away to a urologist after she r/o vesicovagina fistula. It turned out my left ureter was damaged and my surgeon did not even know about it and would not admit it. So now have a nephrostomy tube on my left kidney and waiting for surgery to re-implant my ureter to the bladder. i've been through hell for the past 3 months. but I'm grateful that there is a solution. I want to file a surgical malpractice to my surgeon. Did you ever consider this?

Sorry to hear about your injury! (boo). I am now 1 yr 9mo out of having the 12wks of stenting - and I am healed without reimplantation thank you god! (I went to the Mayo Clinic of Jaxville,fla - the Urologist there that I knew personally, has written "medical journals" on this type of injury. it's a potentially "life threatening" emergency that occurs 1% of the time, on the right ureter typically. I do have a legal case, however - my hospital is a nonprofit hospital -and you will find those have medical caps and they will literally "exhaust" the funds that it would take to start and complete a medical reimbursement case. In light of all that happened to me, it was "minor" in the eyes of malpractice here in sunny screw you florida! but in your case, it's much more convoluted. My Gyne did at least admit up front, "Hey, I messed up" - but He also knew that I was a Urology Nurse for 11yrs.. so it was kinda moot for him to attempt to lie or conceal. You SHOULD consult an attorney. Keep logs of all info. Go to the hospital where the procedure was done and get as much of your records as you can without having to pay a lawyer to do so. log all your calls, miles, doctor visits, and chronicle your pain and whether or not it was addressed, and what salary was lost during this time. Good Luck to you in your healing and recovery! Mine did well, and I know I had the best Man to do the job to avoid the re-implantation. What usually happens is they either immediately cut into the ureter, staple into the ureter, or as in my case - burn the tissue close to it that eventually sloughs off weakens the tube and causes it to rupture. He should have been more quick to react. If there had been a spec of bacteria in your urine that could have put you in serious jeopardy

Information is power. My problem was the same as yours. I had my ureter damaged when I had a hysterectomy laporoscopically. Your problem will not heal itself. You will need corrective surgery. See a urologist immediately.

I had the same thing happen to me recently. I went undiagnosed for 10 days until I basically became paralyzed with pain. I have had surgeries and everything is suppose to be repared, but I am now having terrible back pain. It has been exactly 2 months since the repair.