OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of urological surgery on ureteric peristaltic activity. METHODS Ureteric peristalsis was assessed in a sample urological population (n = 29 patients) and the findings compared with a control population (n = 14 patients). RESULTS The incidence of disordered peristalsis was significantly increased (P < 0.05) following urological surgery and, in particular, the incidence of retrograde peristalsis was very significantly increased (P < 0.01) following ureteric division and re-anastomosis. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study are consistent with a central role for myogenic activity in the conduction of ureteric peristalsis in man.