Native nephrectomies in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: retrospective cohort study

Background: Approximately 1 in 5 patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) will undergo a native nephrectomy in their lifetime. These can be emergent or planned and the indications can range from space for kidney transplant, pain, hematuria and frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs). Due to the diverse nature of presentations, there is a lack of certainty about outcomes and optimal management.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate preoperative indications and perioperative/postoperative complications in this patient cohort.

Methods: This retrospective review included 41 patients with ADPKD who underwent unilateral or bilateral nephrectomy in a single hospital between 2010 and 2020. We collected data on patient demographics, surgical indications, histological results and postoperative complications. We sourced this information using the hospital's patient medical records.

Results: The main indications for nephrectomy were pain (39.5%) and bleeding (41.8%). Further indications included recurrent UTIs (16.3%), space for transplantation (27.9%), query malignancy (4.7%) and compressive gastropathy (2.3%). With regard to side, 55.8% were right-sided, 23.3% were left-sided, and 20.9% were bilateral. Seven percent of nephrectomy specimens demonstrated malignancy. Postoperative morbidity included requiring blood transfusion and long hospital stay. Thirty-seven percent of patients received a postoperative blood transfusion. There was no immediate or postoperative mortality associated with any of the cases reviewed.

Conclusions: In conclusion, this study demonstrates that native nephrectomy remains a safe operation for patients with ADPKD. Although further research is needed into, transfusion protocols, adjunctive therapies, such as TAE and research into timing of nephrectomy are still needed.