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Updated: Jun 23, 2026
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Nephrotoxin Microinjection in Zebrafish to Model Acute Kidney Injury
Published on: July 17, 2016
Response to Postoperative Acute Kidney Injury: Does Knowledge Equate to Action?
Megan E Boyer1, Anthony Loria1, Bailey K Hilty Chu1
1Department of Surgery, Surgical Health Outcomes Research Enterprise (SHORE), University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York.
The Journal of Surgical Research
|June 20, 2026
Summary
Postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) management and follow-up are inconsistent and incomplete. Standardized care practices are needed to improve outcomes for patients experiencing AKI after surgery.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Surgical Care
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common postoperative complication with significant morbidity.
- Standardized diagnostic criteria for AKI have improved recognition, but management and follow-up remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the management, documentation, and follow-up practices for postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI).
- To identify gaps in perioperative renal care.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of adult patients with postoperative AKI at a tertiary medical center.
- Analysis of AKI management interventions, documentation completeness, and follow-up practices.
- Secondary outcomes included AKI severity, perioperative exposure, and 30-day mortality.
Main Results:
- Most patients (93.3%) had stage 2 or 3 AKI; 18.3% required kidney replacement therapy.
- AKI documented in 63.5% of notes, 38.5% of discharge summaries. Postdischarge nephrology referral occurred in 6.7%.
- Only 58.7% had postdischarge laboratory follow-up within 30 days; 30-day mortality was 18.3%.
Conclusions:
- Postoperative AKI management, documentation, and follow-up are frequently incomplete.
- Significant gaps exist in perioperative renal care.
- Coordinated, multi-institutional efforts are needed for standardized AKI care practices.
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