Meeks et al identified risk factors for a urine leak developing after a partial nephrectomy for a renal neoplasm. The authors are from Northwestern University in Chicago.
Patient selection: partial nephrectomy
A urine leak was defined as
(1) the presence of urine output from the surgical drain
(2) presence > 48 hours after surgery
Risk factors for a urine leak:
(1) large tumor
(2) endophytic tumor (less than 40% of the tumor is located on the kidney surface on preoperative imaging studies)
(3) repair of the collecting system during surgery
In the presence of a urine leak older age was associated with prolonged urine leak (> 30 days).
Course:
(1) The median duration of a urine leak was 3 weeks (20 days).
(2) Many resolve without intervention.
(3) Some require replacement of a ureteral stent or other intervention.
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