Hypertension and thromboembolism in idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis

Of 36 patients with idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis treated surgically, 8 have died and 26 have suffered 67 post-operative complications during 1 to 24 years of follow-up. Four patients died as a consequence of hypertension. Hypertension and thromboembolism accounted for 49% of the post-operative complications in 69% of the patients who developed complications. Attention to these 2 factors is at least as important as prevention of recurrent obstructive uropathy.