General surgery in patients on maintenance hemodialysis

A review of the experience with 66 patients on chronic hemodialysis who underwent 67 major surgical procedures is presented. There were 58 general surgical procedures, and nine major cardiovascular procedures including four emergency cardiac valve replacements. The preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative management of these patients is discussed as well as the morbidity and mortality encountered. It is concluded that patients on well-managed chronic dialysis will tolerate minor and major surgery well and renal failure should no longer be regarded as a relative contraindication for appropriate elective or emergency surgery.