Recovery of renal function after right nephrectomy, cavectomy and left renal vein ligation.

Right nephrectomy and ligation of the left renal vein often lead to acute renal failure, but not obligatorily to renal infarction and chronic uremia, thanks to the peculiar venous supply of the left kidney. A man underwent right nephrectomy, inferior cavectomy and ligation of the left renal vein and became anuric. Hemodialysis was necessary for some days, but he partially recovered his renal function. Proteinuria occurred a few days after the operation and decreased but had not disappeared after ten months. Eventually the patient died of brain metastases. There are a few reports of similar operations, some successful, others not, but very few papers report an adequate follow-up of subsequent changes in renal function. Nephrologists could be involved in the postoperative care of these cases. They should be aware of the possible recovery of renal function and should try all possible strategies to help the left kidney recover its function.