Routine Radiologic Surveillance for Obstruction Is Not Required in Asymptomatic Patients after Ureteroscopy

ABSTRACT Objective: A retrospective medical record review was performed with the goal of determining the need for radiologic evaluation after ureteroscopy. Patients and Methods: Of 183 patients undergoing ureteroscopic procedures at our institution between 1989 and 1993,131 underwent postoperative radiologic studies capable of diagnosing ureteral obstruction. Of these patients, 110 (84%) were asymptomatic after the procedure, and radiologic procedures capable of displaying obstruction were performed at a median of 60 days (mean 73 days; standard deviation 189 days) after ureteroscopy. Results: None of these asymptomatic patients displayed obstruction at the time of the routine follow-up radiologic procedure. Of those 21 patients (16%) who experienced flank pain subsequent to ureteroscopy, 13 were found to have ureteral obstruction secondary to ureteral calculus. One patient (1/131 or 0.8%) was found to have a ureteral stricture, which occurred after a full-thickness ureteral injury. All cases of postopera...