Complications may occur either during (intra-operative) or after surgery (post-operative)
Intra-operative
Because of the proximity of gastrointestinal organs to the kidney, there is risk of injury during operation to:
- Spleen, tail of pancreas and bowel during left nephrectomy.
- Liver, duodenum and bowel during right nephrectomy.
Major blood vessels, such as the inferior vena cava, may also be damaged and may need the intervention of a vascular surgeon to affect repair.
Post-operative
All the complications of a general anaesthetic and abdominal surgery, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), chest infection, and wound infection may occur.
Specific post-operative complications that may occur during the post-operative period after nephrectomy include;
- Secondary hemorrhage
- Paralytic ileus
- Sepsis
- Pain
- Renal failure
- Urine leak (partial nephrectomy).