title: Rhabdomyolysis after laparoscopic nephrectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Laparoscopic renal surgery has become a widely applied technique in recent years. The development of postoperative rhabdomyolysis is a known but rare complication of laparoscopic renal surgery. Herein, 4 cases of rhabdomyolysis and a review of the literature are presented with respect to pathogenesis, treatment, and prevention of this dire complication.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review of over 600 laparoscopic renal operations over the past 8 years was performed. All cases of postoperative rhabdomyolysis were identified. A Medline search was performed to find articles related to the development of postoperative rhabdomyolysis. Cases of rhabdomyolysis developing after laparoscopic renal surgery and common risk factors between cases were identified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of postoperative rhabdomyolysis in our series is 0.67%. It is similar to the rate reported in other series. Male sex, high body mass index, prolonged operative times, and the lateral decubitus position are all risk factors in its development.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevention and optimal management of postoperative rhabdomyolysis following laparoscopic renal surgery has yet to be defined. The risk factors we identified should be carefully addressed and minimized. A better understanding of the pathogenesis of rhabdomyolysis will also be a key component in its prevention.
authors.affiliation: Thomas Jefferson University, Department of Urology, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
authors.forename: Deborah T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Glassman
authors.forename: William G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Merriam
authors.forename: Edouard J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Trabulsi
authors.forename: Dolores
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Byrne
authors.forename: Leonard
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gomella
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D012206:Rhabdomyolysis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D003404:Creatinine