GUNSHOT WOUNDS OF THE URETER

Lesions of the ureter caused by penetrating wounds of the abdomen rare a are complication of abdominal gunshot wounds, of which the reported incidence is 2 to 17 %. The preoperative diagnosis is difficult and unrecognized initially in every third case. There are no early clinical signs of ureteral lesions. There is often no hematuria. Only IVP can make the preoperative diagnosis possible. As a matter of fact, the diagnosis will often be established by the surgical exploration made during the laparotomy required by the extent of the associated lesions. The ureteral blast contusion is an important cause of secondary necrosis with fistula. The treatment is mainly based on ureteroureterostomy after debridement. The transanasmotic drainage of urine is controversial. Mortality results from associated abdominal lesions and morbidity consists in a risk of secondary nephrectomy.