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Urolithiasis and pregnancy

Abstracts

The diagnosis of urolithiasis during pregnancy is common, even though no additional measures are required in asymptomatic cases. Renal colic or complications of urinary lithiasis occur more frequently during the last months of pregnancy, and there are several particularities for the diagnosis and treatment of this subset of women. The present manuscript aim to review the current knowledge concerning this subject and present authors personal experience.

lithotripsy; nephrolithiasis; pregnancy complications; pregnancy trimesters; uretero-lithiasis; urolithiasis


A litíase urinária é frequentemente diagnosticada durante a gestação. O diagnóstico de nefrolitíase assintomática durante a gestação não requer medidas adicionais, apenas o seguimento do pré-natal normal. Contudo, quando ocorre cólica renal ou complicações decorrentes da litíase urinária, medidas adicionais tornam-se necessárias. Nestes eventos, mais comuns nos últimos meses de gestação, há particularidades relacionadas ao quadro clínico, diagnóstico e tratamento específicos para esta população de pacientes. O presente artigo tem como objetivo revisar estes aspectos de litíase urinária na gestação à luz do conhecimento atual e da experiência pessoal dos autores.

complicações na gravidez; idade gestacional; litotripsia a laser; nefrolitíase; ureterolitíase; urolitíase


Introduction

The prevalence of urolithiasis is high, affecting up to 15% of the world population.1Korkes F, Gomes SA, Heilberg IP. Diagnóstico e tratamento de litíase ureteral. J Bras Nefrol 2009;31:55-61.,2Heilberg IP, Schor N. Renal stone disease: Causes, evaluation and medical treatment. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metabol 2006;50:823-31. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S000427302006000400027
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0004273020060...
Because of the high frequency of this disease and a higher likelihood of pregnant women developing kidney stones,3Meria P, Hadjadj H, Jungers P, Daudon M. Stone formation and pregnancy: pathophysiological insights gained from morphoconstitutional stone analysis. J Urology 2010;183:1412-6. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2009.12.016
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2009.12...
,4Charalambous S, Fotas A, Rizk DE. Urolithiasis in pregnancy. Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct 2009;20:1133-6. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00192-009-0920-z
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00192-009-092...
the diagnosis of urolithiasis during pregnancy is very frequent.4Charalambous S, Fotas A, Rizk DE. Urolithiasis in pregnancy. Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct 2009;20:1133-6. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00192-009-0920-z
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00192-009-092...
The simple diagnosis of asymptomatic nephrolithiasis in pregnant women does not require specific measures in most cases.4Charalambous S, Fotas A, Rizk DE. Urolithiasis in pregnancy. Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct 2009;20:1133-6. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00192-009-0920-z
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00192-009-092...
,5McAleer SJ, Loughlin KR. Nephrolithiasis and pregnancy. Curr Opin Urol 2004;14:123-7. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00042307-200403000-00013
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00042307-20040...
According to some authors,6Srirangam SJ, Hickerton B, Van Cleynenbreugel B. Management of urinary calculi in pregnancy: a review. J Endourol 2008;22:867-75. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/end.2008.0086
http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/end.2008.0086...
,7Romero Nava LE, Velázquez Sánchez Mdel P, Kunhardt Rasch JR. Urolithiasis and pregnancy. Presentation of results and management norm at the National Institute of Perinatology. Ginecol Obstet Mex 2004;72:515-24. PMID: 15790192 renal colic and nephrolithiasis complications during pregnancy are less common, happening in 1 of 224 to 2,000 pregnancies, and the symptoms are more frequent in the later months of pregnancy.8Lewis DF, Robichaux AG 3rd, Jaekle RK, Marcum NG, Stedman CM. Urolithiasis in pregnancy. Diagnosis, management and pregnancy outcome. J Reprod Med 2003;48:28-32. When there are symptoms related to urolithiasis, there are some particularities related to clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of this condition in pregnant women. This paper aims to review this issue in the light of current knowledge.

Urinary tract metabolic and physiological changes during pregnancy

During pregnancy there are physiological and anatomical changes to the urinary tract. The kidneys are cranially displaced by the fetus, besides increasing by about one centimeter in size, due to the increase in kidney vascularization and interstitial space during pregnancy.9Hill CC, Pickinpaugh J. Physiologic changes in pregnancy. Surg Clin North Am 2008;88:391-401. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.suc.2007.12.005
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.suc.2007.12....
Upper urinary tract dilatation is a remarkable change in pregnancy and happens at around the seventh week of pregnancy in about 90% of pregnant women, persisting for up to six weeks postpartum. This "physiological" hydronephrosis stems from hormonal and mechanical factors and is more pronounced on the right side. Hydronephrosis increases urinary stasis, acting as a major risk factor for nephrolithiasis as well as urinary infections.9Hill CC, Pickinpaugh J. Physiologic changes in pregnancy. Surg Clin North Am 2008;88:391-401. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.suc.2007.12.005
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.suc.2007.12....

Cardiac output in pregnancy is also increased, causing elevation of glomerular filtration rate by 40% to 65%.9Hill CC, Pickinpaugh J. Physiologic changes in pregnancy. Surg Clin North Am 2008;88:391-401. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.suc.2007.12.005
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.suc.2007.12....
This results in reduction of serum creatinine, which can reach 0.5 mg/dL, as well as changes in the renal excretion of electrolytes. Regarding lithogenic urinary parameters, the changes occur in differing directions. On the one hand, there is hypercalciuria due to increased glomerular filtration of calcium associated with the intestinal hyper-absorption of calcium by the placental production of 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D.3Meria P, Hadjadj H, Jungers P, Daudon M. Stone formation and pregnancy: pathophysiological insights gained from morphoconstitutional stone analysis. J Urology 2010;183:1412-6. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2009.12.016
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2009.12...
Any calcium supplementation during pregnancy may contribute to increase further urinary excretion of calcium. In contrast, there is significant increase in urinary pH, renal excretion of citrate, magnesium, uromodulins, nephrocalcin and glycoproteins during pregnancy - inhibitory factors of urinary crystallization and formation of stones.3Meria P, Hadjadj H, Jungers P, Daudon M. Stone formation and pregnancy: pathophysiological insights gained from morphoconstitutional stone analysis. J Urology 2010;183:1412-6. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2009.12.016
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2009.12...
,9Hill CC, Pickinpaugh J. Physiologic changes in pregnancy. Surg Clin North Am 2008;88:391-401. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.suc.2007.12.005
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.suc.2007.12....
,1010 Ross AE, Handa S, Lingeman JE, Matlaga BR. Kidney stones during pregnancy: an investigation into stone composition. Urol Res 2008;36:99-102. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00240-008-0138-4
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00240-008-013...

Such changes in opposite directions lead to a different situation from that found in non-pregnant patients. Although many factors inhibitory to the urinary-crystallization are increased, hypercalciuria in pregnant women is associated with increased urinary pH, favoring urinary supersaturation by brushite and calcium phosphate stone formation, especially carbapatite.3Meria P, Hadjadj H, Jungers P, Daudon M. Stone formation and pregnancy: pathophysiological insights gained from morphoconstitutional stone analysis. J Urology 2010;183:1412-6. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2009.12.016
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2009.12...
In a study which assessed 244 stones extracted from pregnant women, the authors reported a significantly higher proportion of calcium phosphate stones when compared with stones from non-pregnant women (65.6% vs. 31.4%, p < 0.0001).3Meria P, Hadjadj H, Jungers P, Daudon M. Stone formation and pregnancy: pathophysiological insights gained from morphoconstitutional stone analysis. J Urology 2010;183:1412-6. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2009.12.016
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2009.12...

Renal colic during pregnancy

Having symptomatic kidney stones during pregnancy raises additional concerns because, besides all the suffering and risks it can bring to pregnant women, it is also associated with a further significant increase in the risk of premature membrane rupture8Lewis DF, Robichaux AG 3rd, Jaekle RK, Marcum NG, Stedman CM. Urolithiasis in pregnancy. Diagnosis, management and pregnancy outcome. J Reprod Med 2003;48:28-32. and increased risk of preterm labor in 1.4 to 2.4 times.8Lewis DF, Robichaux AG 3rd, Jaekle RK, Marcum NG, Stedman CM. Urolithiasis in pregnancy. Diagnosis, management and pregnancy outcome. J Reprod Med 2003;48:28-32.,1010 Ross AE, Handa S, Lingeman JE, Matlaga BR. Kidney stones during pregnancy: an investigation into stone composition. Urol Res 2008;36:99-102. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00240-008-0138-4
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00240-008-013...
,1111 Swartz MA, Lydon-Rochelle MT, Simon D, Wright JL, Porter MP. Admission for nephrolithiasis in pregnancy and risk of adverse birth outcomes. Obstet Gynecol 2007;109:1099-104. PMID: 17470589 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.AOG.0000259941.90919.c0
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.AOG.0000259...
Renal colic typically occurs when a stone migrates and causes obstruction somewhere in the urinary tract. The pain is not directly caused by the stones themselves, but it arises from distention of the urinary tract and kidney capsule.1Korkes F, Gomes SA, Heilberg IP. Diagnóstico e tratamento de litíase ureteral. J Bras Nefrol 2009;31:55-61. The most commonly place associated with the clinical manifestation of the obstruction is the ureter. In a study involving individuals seeking emergency treatment for renal colic, they reported that the most frequent topography of urinary obstruction by stones is the ureterovesical junction (60.6%), followed by the proximal ureter above the junction with the iliac vessels (23.4%); the pieloureteral junction (10.6%); distal ureter (4.3%) and crossing with the iliac vessels (1.1%).1212 Eisner BH, Reese A, Sheth S, Stoller ML. Ureteral stone location at emergency room presentation with colic. J Urol 2009;182:165-8. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2009.02.131
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2009.02...
The symptoms herein may vary from a framework of low back pain, radiating to the flank, lower abdomen or genital region. There may be hematuria, urinary and other symptoms such as pollakiuria and dysuria, particularly when the stone is found in the distal portion of the ureter. Nausea and vomiting may occur due to intense pain.1Korkes F, Gomes SA, Heilberg IP. Diagnóstico e tratamento de litíase ureteral. J Bras Nefrol 2009;31:55-61.,1313 Teichman JM. Clinical practice. Acute renal colic from ureteral calculus. N Engl J Med 2004;350:684-93. PMID: 14960744 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1056/NEJMcp030813
http://dx.doi.org/10.1056/NEJMcp030813...
In a cohort of pregnant women with symptomatic urinary stones, the authors observed that the most frequent symptoms were back pain (71%), and hematuria (57.1%).7Romero Nava LE, Velázquez Sánchez Mdel P, Kunhardt Rasch JR. Urolithiasis and pregnancy. Presentation of results and management norm at the National Institute of Perinatology. Ginecol Obstet Mex 2004;72:515-24. PMID: 15790192 Given this context, one must start with supportive measures, including antiemetics, analgesics, and minimum hydration when necessary. We have to bear in mind that the drugs to be used should be selected taking into account their effects, side effects and safety of use during pregnancy, as per shown on Table 1.

Table 1
Medication and their safety profiles according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)3939 U.S. Food and Drug Administration Pregnancy Registries. 2013 [Acesso 30 Julho 2014]. Disponível em: http://www.fda.gov/ScienceResearch/SpecialTopics/WomensHealthResearch/ucm251314.htm
http://www.fda.gov/ScienceResearch/Speci...

Diagnostic tests and differential diagnoses

Upon clinical suspicion of renal colic or abdominal pain in pregnant women, one must perform additional tests to confirm the diagnosis. In addition to other differential diagnoses of acute abdomen and obstetric conditions, one should take into account the possibility of other urological disorders. Faced with renal colic during pregnancy, you should investigate the presence of ureterolithiasis, physiological hydronephrosis of pregnancy and/or pyelonephritis, which may occur in isolation or as a complication of the first two conditions.1414 Resim S, Ekerbicer HC, Kiran G, Kilinc M. Are changes in urinary parameters during pregnancy clinically significant? Urol Res 2006;34:244-8.

Initially, one should obtain urine sample for urinalysis and urine culture. Usually, in the context of renal colic, one can see microscopic hematuria, observed in 92.9% of the cases.1515 Argyropoulos A, Farmakis A, Doumas K, Lykourinas M. The presence of microscopic hematuria detected by urine dipstick test in the evaluation of patients with renal colic. Urol Res 2004;32:294-7. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00240-004-0413-y
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00240-004-041...
In contrast, in normal pregnancies there usually is no hematuria,1414 Resim S, Ekerbicer HC, Kiran G, Kilinc M. Are changes in urinary parameters during pregnancy clinically significant? Urol Res 2006;34:244-8. hypercalciuria was the only urinary change reported in this group of patients.1414 Resim S, Ekerbicer HC, Kiran G, Kilinc M. Are changes in urinary parameters during pregnancy clinically significant? Urol Res 2006;34:244-8.

Additional tests may bring relevant information, especially serum creatinine, to estimate kidney function and CBC to assess possible evidence of systemic infection.

Although non-contrast abdomen CT scan is considered the gold standard in evaluating an individual with renal colic, this image scan should be avoided during pregnancy, especially in the first quarter - because of teratogenesis risks associated with radiation exposure. Thus, total abdominal ultrasound examination should be the initial image test for evaluating a pregnant woman with abdominal pain and/or suspicion of renal colic. However, although it has a high specificity of 90% for the diagnosis of ureteral lithiasis, the sensitivity of this method is quite low (11%-24%).1313 Teichman JM. Clinical practice. Acute renal colic from ureteral calculus. N Engl J Med 2004;350:684-93. PMID: 14960744 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1056/NEJMcp030813
http://dx.doi.org/10.1056/NEJMcp030813...
Therefore, in most cases the ultrasound will not lead to a conclusive diagnosis, but it can be useful to demonstrate indirect signs of obstruction, notably ureterohydronephrosis. Physiological hydronephrosis is a confounding factor in 90% of normal pregnancies,1616 Pais VM Jr, Payton AL, LaGrange CA. Urolithiasis in pregnancy. Urol Clin North Am 2007;34:43-52. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ucl.2006.10.011
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ucl.2006.10....
which in most cases invalidates the use of this data as a parameter to be considered. However, physiological hydronephrosis is more common and more pronounced on the right side because of uterine dextroversion.1717 Andreoiu M, MacMahon R. Renal colic in pregnancy: lithiasis or physiological hydronephrosis? Urology 2009;74:757-61. PMID: 19660792 Additional information which can and should be seen upon the ultrasound includes the degree of hydronephrosis, absence of ureteral stream or increased renal artery resistivity index1717 Andreoiu M, MacMahon R. Renal colic in pregnancy: lithiasis or physiological hydronephrosis? Urology 2009;74:757-61. PMID: 19660792 and finding other kidney stones which, even if not associated with an acute pain episode, show a greater likelihood that other stones have moved into the ureter.

MRI is mentioned in the literature as an alternative for the diagnosis of changes in the urinary tract during pregnancy.1818 Spencer JA, Chahal R, Kelly A, Taylor K, Eardley I, Lloyd SN. Evaluation of painful hydronephrosis in pregnancy: magnetic resonance urographic patterns in physiological dilatation versus calculous obstruction. J Urol 2004;171:256-60. PMID: 14665888 However, the test sensitivity to detect stones is also low,1919 Connolly SS, Browne LP, Collins CD, Lennon GM. Artificial hydroureteronephrosis to facilitate MR urography during pregnancy. Ir J Med Sci 2009;178:83-4. PMID: 19214646 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11845-009-0289-5
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11845-009-028...
although it may show indirect signs of stones, such as ureteritis, periureteritis, perirenal edema or overflow1616 Pais VM Jr, Payton AL, LaGrange CA. Urolithiasis in pregnancy. Urol Clin North Am 2007;34:43-52. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ucl.2006.10.011
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ucl.2006.10....
,1818 Spencer JA, Chahal R, Kelly A, Taylor K, Eardley I, Lloyd SN. Evaluation of painful hydronephrosis in pregnancy: magnetic resonance urographic patterns in physiological dilatation versus calculous obstruction. J Urol 2004;171:256-60. PMID: 14665888 (Figure 1).

Figure 1
MRI in a third quarter pregnant woman with right-side ureterolithiasis: A: Axial image in T2 FSE showing ureteral dilatation (*) and one stone in the distal ureter (arrow); B: T2 axial image showing right-side hydronephrosis to the right side (*); C: T2 axial image showing a ureteral stone (arrow), part of a fetus in the third quarter (*) and posterior placenta (arrow head).

Another alternative for women in the second and third quarters is CT scan with lower radiation doses. Examinations performed with less radiation produce images with worse resolution, but in suspicious cases, these images may aid in the diagnosis of women in the last quarters of pregnancies.2020 Lazarus E, Mayo-Smith WW, Mainiero MB, Spencer PK. CT in the evaluation of nontraumatic abdominal pain in pregnant women. Radiology 2007;244:784-90. PMID: 17709829 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1148/radiol.2443061634
http://dx.doi.org/10.1148/radiol.2443061...
,2121 White WM, Zite NB, Gash J, Waters WB, Thompson W, Klein FA. Low-dose computed tomography for the evaluation of flank pain in the pregnant population. J Endourol 2007;21:1255-60. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/end.2007.0017
http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/end.2007.0017...

Clinical treatment

After analgesia and clinical compensation for the pregnant women with suspected renal colic, one should establish the therapeutic strategy. In most cases, additional tests are not enough for an accurate diagnosis, but it plays a fundamental role in ruling out other differential diagnoses. The most frequent clinical manifestation is that of a pregnant woman with colic and backache, whose ultrasound shows ureterohydronephrosis and urinalysis shows hematuria. In this situation, one should rule out situations that would determine immediate action, namely:

  1. UTI associated with obstruction by stones.

  2. Intractable pain despite clinical care, and intense analgesia.

  3. Acute kidney failure, usually associated with bilateral obstruction or in women with a single kidney.

  4. Loads of uterine contractions occurring prematurely.

If none of these conditions are present, these pregnant women should receive drug treatment as the first choice. This must be accomplished primarily through the use of analgesics (paracetamol, dipyrone), antispasmodics, opioids and/or corticosteroids. Among the medications commonly used to increase the rate of ureteral stones clearance, we stress alpha-blockers and calcium channel blockers. Alpha-blockers are considered standard of care in the general population; however, there are no studies today proving the safety of these drugs during pregnancy, making the use of this class of medications not recommended for pregnant women. In animal studies, nifedipine was associated with abortions and teratogenesis; also being inadvisable for pregnant women (category C medication according to the US-FDA).

In general, there is a higher rate of ureteral stone clearances in pregnant women; it is estimated that 80% of the time the stones are cleared with clinical treatment.4Charalambous S, Fotas A, Rizk DE. Urolithiasis in pregnancy. Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct 2009;20:1133-6. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00192-009-0920-z
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00192-009-092...
However, in pregnant patients with symptomatic urolithiasis there is a significant risk of urinary tract infection with an incidence of 52.4%.7Romero Nava LE, Velázquez Sánchez Mdel P, Kunhardt Rasch JR. Urolithiasis and pregnancy. Presentation of results and management norm at the National Institute of Perinatology. Ginecol Obstet Mex 2004;72:515-24. PMID: 15790192 Thus, antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended.7Romero Nava LE, Velázquez Sánchez Mdel P, Kunhardt Rasch JR. Urolithiasis and pregnancy. Presentation of results and management norm at the National Institute of Perinatology. Ginecol Obstet Mex 2004;72:515-24. PMID: 15790192

Surgical treatment

When ureteral stones are associated with complications such as evidence of concomitant urinary tract infection, acute kidney failure or intractable/recurrent pain, surgical treatment is mandated.2222 Semins MJ, Trock BJ, Matlaga BR. The safety of ureteroscopy during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Urol 2009;181:139-43. PMID: 19012926 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2008.09.029
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2008.09...
Among the possibilities to treat urolithiasis, it should be noted that extracorporeal lithotripsy through shock waves is contraindicated during pregnancy because of the risk of miscarriage and detached placenta.2323 Skolarikos A, Alivizatos G, de la Rosette J. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy 25 years later: complications and their prevention. Eur Urol 2006;50:981-90. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eururo.2006.01.045
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eururo.2006....
Alternative treatments, include:

  1. Kidney unit clearance through the implantation of a double J-type ureteral catheter.

  2. Percutaneous nephrostomy.2424 Khoo L, Anson K, Patel U. Success and short-term complication rates of percutaneous nephrostomy during pregnancy. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2004;15:1469-73. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.RVI.0000140639.57131.6D
    http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.RVI.0000140...

  3. Ureteroscopy and definitive stone treatment.

  4. Open/laparoscopic surgery - rarely used - situations of exception.

  5. Percutaneous renal surgery - rarely used, situations of exception.2525 Tóth C, Tóth G, Varga A, Flaskó T, Salah MA. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy in early pregnancy. Int Urol Nephrol 2005;37:1-3. PMID: 16132747 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11255-004-6087-0
    http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11255-004-608...

Traditionally, the procedures performed in this context aim to simply clear the kidney, either by percutaneous nephrostomy or double J-catheter.2626 Guichard G, Fromajoux C, Cellarier D, Loock PY, Chabannes E, Bernardini S, et al. Management of renal colic in pregnant women, based on a series of 48 cases. Prog Urol 2008;18:29-34. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.purol.2007.11.001
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.purol.2007.1...
,2727 Evans HJ, Wollin TA. The management of urinary calculi in pregnancy. Curr Opin Urol 2001;11:379-84. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00042307-200107000-00007
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00042307-20010...
Although these are quite effective alternatives to resolve the urgency, they are still inconvenient because an external probe remains dwelling in the case of nephrostomy, or not performing the definitive treatment, in addition to keeping the catheter in the urinary tract. Moreover, women undergoing nephrostomy for urinary obstruction are usually submitted to frequent changes caused by the obstruction.2424 Khoo L, Anson K, Patel U. Success and short-term complication rates of percutaneous nephrostomy during pregnancy. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2004;15:1469-73. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.RVI.0000140639.57131.6D
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.RVI.0000140...
,2828 Kavoussi LR, Albala DM, Basler JW, Apte S, Clayman RV. Percutaneous management of urolithiasis during pregnancy. J Urol 1992;148:1069-71. PMID: 1507334 The double-J catheter must be changed every eight weeks due to the high risk of catheter encrustment in pregnant women.

With the development of more sensitive and precise equipment in the last decade, it became possible to perform safe ureteroscopy and definitive treatment for the stones even during pregnancy. According to a meta-analysis published in 2008, although the experience reported in the medical literature is relatively small - 108 cases - ureteroscopic treatment of stones during pregnancy is safe and efficient.2222 Semins MJ, Trock BJ, Matlaga BR. The safety of ureteroscopy during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Urol 2009;181:139-43. PMID: 19012926 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2008.09.029
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2008.09...
Additionally, with technical refinement in most cases, it has become possible to perform these endoscopic urological procedures without exposure to radiation using a lead apron,2929 Cocuzza M, Colombo JR Jr, Lopes RI, Piovesan AC, Borges Mesquita JL, Srougi M. Use of inverted fluoroscope's C-arm during endoscopic treatment of urinary tract obstruction in pregnancy: a practicable solution to cut radiation. Urology 2010;75:1505-8. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.urology.2009.12.014
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.urology.2009...
or totally avoiding radiation with the use of the "follow the wire technique", using two guide wires during ureteroscopy, and introducing the ureteroscope following the guidewire.3030 Tawfiek ER. Ureteroscopy during pregnancy using the follow-the-wire technique. Afr J Urol 2009;15:245-9. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12301-009-0044-1
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12301-009-004...
In a recent meta-analysis involving 116 procedures the authors suggested an 88% success rate and only two complications.3131 Laing KA, Lam TB, McClinton S, Cohen NP, Traxer O, Somani BK. Outcomes of ureteroscopy for stone disease in pregnancy: results from a systematic review of the literature. Urol Int 2012;89:380-6. PMID: 23147596 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000343732
http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000343732...

In the author's experience (FK, unpublished data), in 29 pregnant patients treated endoscopically in the last three years (6-39 weeks gestational age, mean ± SD: 25.0 ± 8.1 weeks), 27 cases were successfully treated without the need for fluoroscopy, using the "follow the wire" technique. In one of the cases, fluoroscopy was used minimally to confirm the position of the guide wire and the double-J catheter due to a tortuous ureter, and in one case it was necessary to perform percutaneous renal access due to impossibility of access, as well as passing the guide wire in a 1.3 proximal ureteral stone associated with pyelonephritis. With the goal of avoiding the use of fluoroscopy, it is also possible to employ intraoperative ultrasound as a means of guiding the ureteroscopy.3232 Deters LA, Belanger G, Shah O, Pais VM. Ultrasound guided ureteroscopy in pregnancy. Clin Nephrol 2013;79:118-23. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5414/CN107654
http://dx.doi.org/10.5414/CN107654...

Both the laser and the ballistic lithotripters have been proven safe as a source of energy for breaking ureteral stones.2222 Semins MJ, Trock BJ, Matlaga BR. The safety of ureteroscopy during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Urol 2009;181:139-43. PMID: 19012926 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2008.09.029
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2008.09...
,3131 Laing KA, Lam TB, McClinton S, Cohen NP, Traxer O, Somani BK. Outcomes of ureteroscopy for stone disease in pregnancy: results from a systematic review of the literature. Urol Int 2012;89:380-6. PMID: 23147596 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000343732
http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000343732...
The use of postoperative urethral catheter is often recommended for variable periods.3333 Akpinar H, Tufek I, Alici B, Kural AR. Ureteroscopy and holmium laser lithotripsy in pregnancy: stents must be used postoperatively. J Endourol 2006;20:107-10. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/end.2006.20.107
http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/end.2006.20.10...
It should be further noted that, even in cases of colic by physiological hydronephrosis without the occurrence of concomitant urolithiasis, in which the patient stays with the recurrent pain despite analgesia in left lateral decubitus, placement of ureteral catheter should also be considered.

Technical anesthetic

During anesthesia for obstetric surgery in pregnant women in ureterolithotripsy, one should consider important aspects for both maternal and fetal safety, taking into account the physiological changes of pregnancy. Teratogenic drugs should be avoided, avoid fetal hypoxia and prevent premature labor, regardless of the technique used. Despite the lack of randomized, prospective studies, there seems to be similar safety between regional anesthesia (spinal or epidural) versus general anesthesia. In both techniques, one should avoid hypotension, prevent tracheal aspiration and move the uterus to the left, ensuring adequate oxygenation, normocarbia and euglycemia. One must also keep adequate postoperative care, including satisfactory analgesia, early ambulation, monitoring fetal heart rate and uterine contractions.3434 Kunitz O, Rossaint R. Anesthesia during pregnancy. Chirurg 2005;76:737-43. PMID: 16047202

In the first trimester of pregnancy, the main fetal concerns are abortion and teratogenesis. In the third quarter the main concern is with preterm delivery. Whenever possible, we try to postpone surgery to the second quarter in women with gestational age less than 20 weeks. When surgery is unavoidable, regional anesthesia is the first choice, thus avoiding the use of nitrous oxide. Fetal heart rate monitoring should be performed before and after surgery. In women with ongoing pregnancy over 20 weeks, it is recommended the use of prophylactic tocolytics. Fetal heart rate and uterine activity should also be monitored during surgery.3434 Kunitz O, Rossaint R. Anesthesia during pregnancy. Chirurg 2005;76:737-43. PMID: 16047202

Obstetric risks

Nephrolithiasis in pregnant women did not prove to be a risk factor for the occurrence malformations in a second study that evaluated 22,843 newborns or fetuses with congenital malformations.3535 Bánhidy F, Acs N, Puhó EH, Czeizel AE. Maternal kidney stones during pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes, particularly congenital abnormalities in the offspring. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2007;275:481-7. PMID: 17096158 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00404-006-0277-1
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00404-006-027...
On the other hand, renal colic and its complications increase the risk of premature delivery,3636 Johnson EB, Krambeck AE, White WM, Hyams E, Beddies J, Marien T, et al. Obstetric complications of ureteroscopy during pregnancy. J Urol 2012;188:151-4. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2012.02.2566
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2012.02...
which can occur in up to 67% of cases according to a series.3737 Cormier CM, Canzoneri BJ, Lewis DF, Briery C, Knoepp L, Mailhes JB. Urolithiasis in pregnancy: Current diagnosis, treatment, and pregnancy complications. Obstet Gynecol Surv 2006;61:733-41. PMID: 17044950 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.ogx.0000243773.05916.7a
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.ogx.0000243...
They also increase the need for performing a C-Section.3838 Rosenberg E, Sergienko R, Abu-Ghanem S, Wiznitzer A, Romanowsky I, Neulander EZ, et al. Nephrolithiasis during pregnancy: characteristics, complications, and pregnancy outcome. World J Urol 2011;29:743-7. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00345-011-0719-7
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00345-011-071...
In contrast, surgical procedures during pregnancy also increase pregnancy risks.3636 Johnson EB, Krambeck AE, White WM, Hyams E, Beddies J, Marien T, et al. Obstetric complications of ureteroscopy during pregnancy. J Urol 2012;188:151-4. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2012.02.2566
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2012.02...
In a series of 46 pregnant women undergoing ureteroscopy, there were two complications with preterm delivery (4.3%). The approach to these patients is challenging from diagnosis to therapy decisions, as well as in obstetric care. It is essential to have a multidisciplinary approach involving obstetric care and eventually tocolytic agents.

In conclusion, urolithiasis and complications occur with relatively high frequency during pregnancy. The recognition of this disease, its complications and peculiarities during pregnancy is of fundamental importance to the obstetrician, urologist, nephrologist and all professionals involved in the care for pregnant women.

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    Jul-Sep 2014

History

  • Received
    29 July 2013
  • Accepted
    07 July 2014
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