title: Role of laparoscopic nephrectomy for refractory hypertension in poorly functioning kidneys.
abstract: 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.
authors: Renal, Transplant and Urology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and School of Medicine, King's College London, UK. oelhage@yahoo.com
authors: Oussama
authors: O
authors: Elhage
authors: Arun
authors: A
authors: Sahai
authors: Ben
authors: B
authors: Challacombe
authors: Declan
authors: D
authors: Murphy
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Scoble
authors: Prokar
authors: P
authors: Dasgupta
mesh_terms: 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