Ureters can be injured during various surgeries within the abdomen and pelvis as they lie close to the dissection planes. The most common surgeries that can result in ureteric injury are total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries), laparoscopic vaginal hysterectomy, laparoscopic anterior resection of the rectum, and open left hemicolectomy. At increased risk of ureteric injury are patients with a bulky tumor (uterine, colonic, rectal) and those with a history of previous operations or pelvic irradiation, all of which make dissection of tissues more difficult. During surgery, the ureter can be crushed, cut open, devascularized, or avulsed. It can also be injured during cryoablation or electric cauterization to control intraoperative bleeding. Ureters can also undergo trauma during the course of ureteroscopy, a procedure where a small endoscope is introduced through the urethra and urinary bladder into one of the ureters to treat stones or tumors of the ureter (usually due to a tear or electrocauterization).