title: Outcome and complications of laparoscopic nephrectomy in patients with previous renal surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the technical difficulties, limitations, outcome, and complications of laparoscopic nephrectomy in patients with previous ipsilateral renal surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen patients with a history of epsilateral renal surgery underwent laparoscopic simple nephrectomy for benign renal disease at our center between November 2001 and March 2005. All patients were informed about the details of the laparoscopic procedure, and an informed consent was obtained that included the possibility of an emergency laparotomy. All procedures performed were carried out through a transperitoneal approach. A separate table with a laparotomy set was available in the room and ready for open conversion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The procedure was completed in 13 patients. Excluding the cases converted to open surgery, the operative time ranged from 120 to 210 minutes, with a mean of 170 +/- 32.9. The intraoperative blood loss ranged from 30 to 400 cc, with a mean blood loss of 100. Complications included minor visceral injury (liver) in 1 patient, minor bleeding in 2, major bleeding (open conversion) in 1, technical failure (open conversion) in 4, postoperative bleeding (reexploration) in 1, and postoperative renal bed collection in 1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic nephrectomy is an alternative to the open nephrectomy for the removal of nonfunctioning kidneys in benign diseases and results in less morbidity and a shorter hospital stay. A higher conversion to open and complication rate should be expected in patients with previous open or endoscopic renal surgery and postinflammatory conditions.
authors: Urology Department, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. ashrafaboelela@yahoo.co.uk
authors: Ashraf
authors: A
authors: Abou-Elela
authors: Mohamed
authors: M
authors: Ghonaimy
authors: Ihab
authors: I
authors: Reyad
authors: Omar
authors: O
authors: Abdelrazak
authors: Ahmad S
authors: AS
authors: Bedair
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012086:Reoperation; D016896:Treatment Outcome