Effect of nephrectomy for retroperitoneal sarcoma on post-operative renal function.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Surgical resection of retroperitoneal sarcomas (RPS) often involves removal of the ipsilateral kidney. We evaluated the long-term post-operative renal function in patients who underwent a nephrectomy as part of their en-bloc resection of RPS. METHODS: Retrospective review of an institutional database identified RPS patients who underwent nephrectomy for curative intent from 1990 to 2014. The primary outcome measured was chronic kidney disease (CKD) calculated by the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). RESULTS: Of the 47 patients in our study, 19 (40%), 18 (38%), and 10 (21%) patients had a preoperative CKD stage 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The GFR decreased by an average of 33.4 mL/min/1.73 m2 with 66% of patients demonstrating mild progression of their renal impairment. Only three (6%) patients progressed to CKD stage 4 or 5, one of which required life-long dialysis. CONCLUSION: Nephrectomy as part of an en-bloc resection is associated with a decrease in GFR that is not clinically significant. Fear of kidney failure should not prevent a surgeon from performing a nephrectomy in the treatment of RPS.

Black and White Esophagus: Rare Presentations of Severe Esophageal Ischemia.

Benign esophageal strictures are typically the result of long-standing gastroesophageal reflux, and are usually treated with serial dilations and acid-suppressive therapy. Other causes of benign esophageal strictures include external beam radiation, caustic ingestions, prior surgery, and external compression from mediastinal fibrosis. We report 2 rare causes of ischemic esophageal structuring occurring after operations unrelated to the esophagus. The first is a patient who developed esophageal injury following radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation. The direct thermal injury resulted in a "white esophagus" with a full-thickness, long-segmental stricture. The second patient presented with a "black esophagus" also known as acute necrotizing esophagitis. This occurred after an orthotopic liver transplant, which was complicated by multiple organ dysfunction secondary to hemorrhagic shock. In this report, we present 2 rare causes of esophageal stricturing that occurred after procedures not necessarily related to the esophagus itself. Early recognition and active management of these esophageal injuries may lead to better outcomes.