Does partial removal of a kidney affect the patient with lifetime problems such s UTI'S?
A partial nephrectomy does have long-term consequences, most especially indeed for those with a history of recurrent urinary tract infections (u.t.i.): the problem arises because partial nephrectomy inevitably leads to damage to the anatomical area of the kidney known as the pelvis, which is the area into which the urine drains before passage down the ureter. Such damage and scar-tissue formation leads to distortion of the pelvis, with consequences for the flow of urine from the area, including stagnation. In the presence of infectious micro-organisms, such stagnation can cause UPPER urinary tract infections, with the increased risk of pyelo-nephrititis; or infectious involvement of the kidney tissue itself. This can become a chronic infection, or recurrent acute on chronic disease, and lead to a reduction in functioning renal tissue.