Postoperative changes in serum CO2 as an indicator of postoperative complications after radical cystectomy

The purpose of this article was to review the relationship of postoperative CO2 levels to the risk of complications after radical cystectomy. In this review, we summarize the existing body of literature on the topic as well as metabolic complications after urinary diversion. Currently, there are no studies that specifically examine CO2 levels in the context of complications after radical cystectomy; therefore, we also present our own institutional data which demonstrate that a drop in postoperative CO2 levels is highly predictive of complications, the most common of which is failure to thrive. These data indicate that significant changes in CO2 levels prior to discharge after a radical cystectomy may be a harbinger of forthcoming complications.