title: [Nephrectomies in poor or non-functioning kidneys. Is it the right thing to do?]
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review our management and outcomes of nephrectomies performed in patients with non-functioning kidneys.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis of the patients who underwent nephrectomy surgery in our hospital between 2010 and 2014. Data was collected from the patient charts paying special attention to the clinical resolution of the symptoms that motivated surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 18 nephrectomies were performed. Median age was of 6,5 years (range: 11 months to 15 years). Surgery was indicated by recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI) in 7 cases, renovascular hypertension (RHT) in 5, pain in 2, increasing size in 2 and parents' preference due to poor compliance with follow up in 2 patients. 16 nephrectomies were performed laparoscopically and 2 were open procedures. Median hospital length of stay was 48 hours. Complication rate was 5.55% both for the intraoperatively (1 case of bleeding) and post operatively (1 case of subcutaneous emphysema). Signs and symptoms were successfully resolved in all cases except for 3, 2 patients had an UTI and 1 persistent RHT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nephrectomy is a safe surgical procedure in children with a low rate of complications. An appropriate selection of the cases and a thorough preoperative multidisciplinary assessment are essential aspects to obtain good clinical results and to avoid post-operative complications.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía Infantil. Hospital Universitari Son Espases. Palma de Mallorca.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Estors
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía Infantil. Hospital Universitari Son Espases. Palma de Mallorca.
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Hernández
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía Infantil. Hospital Universitari Son Espases. Palma de Mallorca.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Calleja
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Nefrología Infantil. Hospital Universitari Son Espases. Palma de Mallorca.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Rodrigo
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Nefrología Infantil. Hospital Universitari Son Espases. Palma de Mallorca.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lumbreras
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía Infantil. Hospital Universitari Son Espases. Palma de Mallorca.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marhuenda
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D006978:Hypertension, Renovascular / Q000601:surgery; D007223:Infant; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007902:Length of Stay; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010290:Parents; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000601:surgery
keywords: Nephrectomies; Non-functioning kidney; Outcomes