Preoperative and Operative Factors Associated with Complications Following Radical Nephroureterectomy

Abstract Radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) is the gold standard for managing upper-tract urothelial carcinoma. We review preoperative, operative, and pathologic characteristics of patients undergoing RNU to identify factors associated with perioperative complications. A retrospective review of institutional databases from 8 academic centers identified 732 patients who underwent RNU. Data on preoperative, operative, and pathologic indices were collected. Almost 40% of patients in our cohort experienced a complication within 30 days of RNU. Increasing age, higher Charlson score, and lower baseline renal function were independently associated with patients developing complications. Longer OR duration and intraoperative transfusion requirement were also associated with post-RNU complications. Other operative and pathologic factors did not predict complications following surgery. These metrics should be determined prior to surgery and may guide patient counseling and surgical expectations