[The most common complications associated with nephrectomy].

Access to the kidney and technical performance of nephrectomy should be related to the stage of the disease and degree of pathological process development (I. Viktorov 1983, S. Lambrev and T. Andreev 1961, T. Patrashkov 1982, F. S. Judy et al 1995). Advanced pathoanatomical changes in the kidney and pararenal space greatly interfere with the operation, especially in the event of adhesions to peritoneum and contiguous tissues (N. A. Lopatkina et al 1986, N. Minkov 1987, T. Patrashkov and H. Kumanov 1988). In the authors' reports presented are analyzed 388 patients nephrectomized in the University Hospital "Alexandrovska", covering the period 1990 through 1995. All updated methods are used in diagnosing. The commonest intraoperative complications recorded in a series of 188 nephrectomies (48.45%) include: 1. Pus collections in the kidney--88 cases (46.80%). 2. Opening of peritoneum--64 (34.04%). 3. Decompressive puncture of the kidney--15 (7.97%). 4. Neoplastic masses escaping from the renal parenchyma into the operative field--7 (3.72%). 5. Opening of pleura--5 (2.66%). 6. Purposeful opening of the tumor itself for decompression--3 (1.95%). 7. Kidney removal gives rise to diffuse bleeding necessitating inserting a tampon for hemorrhage control--2 (1.06%). 8. Splenectomy--1 (0.53%). 9. Because of advanced neoplastic process only biopsy is taken--1 (0.53%). 10. Hemicolectomy--1 (0.53%). 11. Injury to v cava inferior--1 (0.53%). As shown by the experience gained, nephrectomy is a technically difficult operation, particularly in case of altered topoanatomical interrelations during secondary interventions on the kidney and ureter, or in case of concomitant pyelonephritis. Intraoperative complications are not life endangering provided treatment is undertaken in opportune time.