Postnephrectomy arteriovenous fistula--surgical experience of a complicated case by renal dysfunction and congestive heart failure

Postnephrectomy arteriovenous fistula is a rare complication. Twenty nine years after the left nephrectomy due to renal tuberculosis, a 71-year-old male who had suffered from heart and renal failure was diagnosed as postnephrectomy arteriovenous fistula. Ligation of left renal artery and division of left renal vein were performed. Although CVP improved from 30 to 14 cmH2O after operation, cardiac function did not show remarkable improvement, and we were necessitated to introduce hemodialysis from the third week after operation. It is important to bear in mind this complication in order to make early diagnosis and treatment.