Question about partial nephrectomy recovery: Did anyone else have a significant fever or inflammatory response afterward?
I had a partial nephrectomy on August 3 for a 2.6 cm Bosniak IV cystic kidney mass. I also have stage 4 CKD from a genetic kidney disorder with multiple “simple benign cysts” on both kidneys, so preserving as much kidney function as possible was especially important. GFR before surgery was 24 and 12 days later it is back to 22 (but dipped to 18 when I went to the ER.)
The surgery itself went as planned, but my immediate recovery was much rougher than I expected. Within the first couple of days I developed a significant fever and chills and ended up back in the ER. My doctors repeatedly described what happened as a surprisingly strong inflammatory response to surgery.
I had quite a bit of testing because they understandably wanted to rule out infection and other postoperative complications. I had blood cultures, imaging, and additional testing. My blood cultures ultimately showed no growth. There was some concern about shallow breathing and mucus retention after anesthesia and possible postoperative lung changes, and I was treated with IV antibiotics followed by oral antibiotics as a precaution. I also received a few heparin injections in the hospital, and a subsequent VQ scan did not show evidence of a pulmonary embolism.
My labs also took a hit after surgery, including anemia and worsening kidney function, although some of those numbers have subsequently been moving in a better direction. I have been extremely fatigued. Even something like taking a shower can wipe me out. My incisions themselves seem to be healing normally.
I am still waiting for the final pathology, which is obviously adding another layer of anxiety.
What I am most curious about is the fever. Has anyone else had a significant fever or very strong inflammatory response in the days immediately following a partial nephrectomy without ultimately having an infection? If so, did your doctors have an explanation for why your inflammatory response was so strong?
I know everyone’s situation is different and I am following my own doctors’ recommendations. I am mainly interested in hearing other people’s experiences because this part of recovery caught me completely by surprise.