Role of laparoscopic nephrectomy for refractory hypertension in poorly functioning kidneys.
BACKGROUND
Hypertension is a common medical problem mainly treated by effective antihypertensive drugs. Persistent hypertension can be difficult to manage and have detrimental effect on vital organs. Nephrectomy of poorly functioning kidneys may be indicated in a minority of such cases.


METHODS
We performed laparoscopic nephrectomy on 12 patients with refractory hypertension.


RESULTS
Eight had complete response, three had partial response and one had no response.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic nephrectomy has a role in carefully selected adult patients with refractory hypertension due to non-functioning kidney. Patients need to understand the surgical risks as well as the small risk of failure to treat hypertension.
Elhage
Oussama
O
Renal, Transplant and Urology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and School of Medicine, King's College London, UK. oelhage@yahoo.com
Sahai
Arun
A
Challacombe
Ben
B
Murphy
Declan
D
Scoble
John
J
Dasgupta
Prokar
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006977:Hypertension, Renal / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D007668:Kidney / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D018579:Patient Selection; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome