SUMMARY

Objective: To determine the pattern of nephrectomies at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital as a reflection of the pattern in the southeast zone of Nigeria. Patients and Method: All patients who presented at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi over an eight-year period and who had nephrectomies, were retrospectively studied.

Results: 22 patients, 11 males and 11 females, had open nephrectomies during the period. The mean age of the patients was 35 + 10.5 years (Range 1-65). The presenting features were mainly abdominal/loin masses including ballotable kidney (50%), abdominal/loin pains (40.9%), fever (36.4%), haematuria (22.7%), weight loss (18.2%), breathlessness (18.2%), hepatomegaly (9.1%), splenomegaly (9.1%) and haemoperitoneum (4.6%). Pre-operative diagnoses were upper tract urolithiasis (36.3%), renal malignancy (31.8%) uretero-pelvic junction syndrome with hydronephrosis (13.6%), trauma with rupture of the kidney (9.1%). Total nephrectomy was performed in 21 patients (95.5%) and partial nephrectomy in one patient. Of these, 8 were for renal malignancies and 14 for complications of upper tract urolithiasis.

Conclusion:Complications of urolithiasis and renal malignancies were the commonest indications for nephrectomy. Availability of more urologists and facilities for minimally invasive surger y will reduce the need for total nephrectomy. Niger Med J. 2003; Vol 44 (3): 71 -73

KEYWORDS: Nephrectomies Renal Cell Carcinoma, Urolithiasis.