COMPLICATIONS

The complications associated with nephrectomy include standard surgical complications, such as bleeding, infection, wound separation, myocardial infarction, cerebral vascular accident, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolus, cardiac dysrhythmia, ileus, and atelectasis. In addition, several complications are specific to this procedure, including renal insufficiency and injury to adjacent organs (perforation of bowel, disruption of retroperitoneal vasculature, pancreatic ductal injury/fistula formation, pneumothorax).

Laparoscopic approaches in particular can be complicated by visceral or vascular injuries during initial access with the Veress needle or trocars. In addition, patients should always be warned that all laparoscopic cases have the potential for conversion to an open procedure.