Urologic Surgery During Pregnancy

Abstract

Urologic diseases during pregnancy provide a unique diagnostic and management challenge. Physiologic changes during pregnancy affect almost every organ system and may predispose to uncommon disease processes, yet knowledge of normal physiologic changes such as ureteral dilatation especially on the right side should limit the need for evaluation. Anesthetic complications including risk of preterm labor also have an impact on the management of potential urologic surgical issues during pregnancy. During diagnostic radiographic imaging of a pregnant patient, the urologist should be aware of the impact of cumulative radiation to the mother as well as the fetus, and a careful choice has to be made between ionizing radiation and the alternatives.