Renal complications to left renal vein ligation in abdominal aortic surgery.

Postoperative renal complications have been investigated in 31 patients subjected to left renal vein ligation during abdominal aortic surgery (11 ruptured and 18 non-ruptured aneurysms, 2 occlusive diseases). A marked increase in s-creatinine values was found in all patients after left renal vein ligation. The increase was significantly longer (p less than 0.01) and higher (p less than 0.005) as compared with control patients subjected to abdominal aortic surgery without ligation of the left renal vein. A sustained increase in postoperative s-creatinine values was found in 6 patients, one of whom had a total loss of left kidney function. Left-sided nephrectomy was necessary in 2 patients to control bleeding from the kidney. Acute haemorrhagic infarction and subinfarction of the left kidney were seen in 2 patients. A restricted application of left renal vein ligation during abdominal aortic surgery is recommended.