title: Effects of partial nephrectomy on postoperative blood pressure.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The effects of partial nephrectomy (PN) on postoperative blood pressure (BP) are not known, and PN has the potential to worsen BP. We therefore sought to determine whether PN alters postoperative BP.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients who underwent PN for suspected malignancy at our institution from 2002 to 2008 were included. Data on BP and medication from before and after PN were retrieved from family physicians. BP and number of antihypertensive medications were compared after surgery with preoperative values by use of paired t tests and Chi-squared analyses, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 74 patients undergoing PN and providing consent, 48 met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, with a median follow-up of 24 months. For the early postoperative period (1 month to 1 year after surgery), the mean BPs (132.3/77.0 mmHg) were unchanged compared with preoperative values (132.4/78.0 mmHg; p=0.59 systolic BP and p=0.30 diastolic BP). For the later postoperative period (beyond 1 year after surgery), the mean postoperative systolic BP was unchanged from the mean preoperative systolic BP (131.2 mmHg vs. 132.4 mmHg, respectively; p>0.30). However, the corresponding average diastolic BP was lower in the long term (78.0 mmHg versus 76.4 mmHg respectively; p=0.01). No significant difference in the mean number of BP medications prescribed preoperatively, at one year, and beyond one year was identified (p>0.37).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PN does not result in initial or long-term postoperative deterioration in BP.
authors.affiliation: Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Department of Surgery, Austin Hospital, University of Melbourne Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg, Australia. lawrentschuk@gmail.com
authors.forename: Nathan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lawrentschuk
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Trottier
authors.forename: Karli
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mayo
authors.forename: Ricardo A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Rendon