Prevalence and outcome of renal impairment at prostatectomy

Of 382 patients undergoing prostatectomy in Oxford in 1985 the prevalence of renal impairment (defined as plasma urea > 14 mmol/l or plasma creatinine > 200 mumol/l) was 8%; prostatectomy patients had significantly higher plasma ureas than age-matched patients undergoing herniorrhaphy and cholecystectomy in the same hospitals in the same year. A review of the case records of men with renal impairment showed that case history could not predict renal impairment. Although few case notes gave follow-up information, it was evident from the information available that recovery of renal function after prostatectomy did not occur invariably. Renal impairment in men undergoing prostatectomy represents substantial and unrecognised morbidity.