[Surgery in patients with chronic renal failure on maintenance dialysis (author's transl)]

Among 606 patients on maintenance dialysis in the same unit, 111 (18.3%) underwent various surgical procedures. 14 additional patients on dialysis in other units were included in this group. A total of 138 surgical procedures were performed in these 125 patients, of which 112 were on hemodialysis. In 57 patients, surgery was warranted by a complication directly related to the chronic renal failure. In 81 patients, surgery was indicated because of an associated condition, a complication resulting from therapy, or a coincidental surgical affection. After these 138 procedures, 27 post-operative complications (19,6 %) and 15 deaths (10,86 %) were reported. The mean age for deceased patients is 66 years. These findings show that surgical morbidity and mortality, even after major procedures, are not prohibitive in patients on dialysis, if certain measures are taken during dialysis, anesthesia, surgery, and post-operative care. These measures are reviewed in the study.