Nephrectomy

Abstract

Our objective in writing this chapter is to provide the practicing urologist with an overview of the complications that can occur during and after robotic nephrectomy. Much of what is known about complications of minimally invasive nephrectomy is derived from the laparoscopic nephrectomy literature. Conversely, there are a paucity of studies focused specifically on complications of robotic nephrectomy. While robotic nephrectomy and laparoscopic nephrectomy are different surgical approaches, there is a significant overlap in both surgical technique and anatomic dissection, and we feel that extrapolation from the laparoscopic nephrectomy literature is valuable. This chapter aims to address complications of robotic nephrectomy in a chronological sequence as they would be encountered by the surgeon. Beginning with patient selection, comorbid risk factors, and preoperative evaluation, we proceed to complications related to perioperative factors such as patient positioning and pharmacologic prophylaxis. Intraoperative complications are broken down by etiology. For each intraoperative complication, we discuss the typical presentation, literature review, and management strategies.