Ureteroscopy is a treatment option for women with ureteral stones. Researchers from the Department of Urology at the University of Dicle in Turkey recently studied the effect of ureteroscopy on pregnancy, specifically looking for pregnancy and fetal complications. The study was published in the journal Urolithiasis.
For the sake of the study, researchers reviewed the medical records of 41 pregnant women and 62 controls (not pregnant). All women presented with ureteral stones and were treated with ureteroscopy. Women included in the study ranged from 13 weeks to 34 weeks gestation. All women were between 27 and 36 years of age.
Conclusion: Medical outcomes between pregnant and non-pregnant women were nearly identical. No increased risk of pregnancy complications, of any kind, was noted in the review. Researchers noted an increase in positive urine cultures in the pregnant population (29%) compared to the non-pregnant population (11%).
Source: Bozkurt Y, Soylemez H, Atar M, Sancaktutar AA, Penbegul N, Hatipoglu NK, Bodakcı MN, Evsen MS. Effectiveness and safety of ureteroscopy in pregnant women: a comparative study. Urolithiasis. 2013 Feb;41(1):37-42. doi: 10.1007/s00240-012-0523-x. Epub 2012 Dec 23.