Renal artery pseudoaneurysm following robotic partial nephrectomy. A rare case report and review of the literature

Abstract

A 50-year old woman with a 3cm left lower pole renal tumor underwent Robot Assisted Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy (RALPN). On postoperative day 11, the patient presented with gross hematuria and left flank pain. Selective renal arteriogram revealed the presence of a renal artery pseudoaneurysm in the lower pole of the left kidney. Selective embolization of the artery feeding the pseudoaneurysm was performed with excellent results. In conclusion surgeons need to maintain a high level of suspicion for this rare complication in order to diagnose and manage patients that presents with hematuria or flank pain after RALPN.