Renal Biopsy Gone Wrong

[MSWwv]

On March 16, I had a CT guided Renal Biopsy. The procedure itself went smoothly and pain free. Post procedure I was observed for about 45 minutes and then sent home to resume normal activity.

By the time I reached my house (15 minutes) I was in so much pain it was blurring my vision. My wife made me call 911 and I was taken bake to the hospital where the procedure was performed. Within minutes, I found myself on a helicopter being flown to another hospital (I had little clue as to what was happening).

After what seemed like minutes, but apparently was several hours, I woke up in a trauma unit. Apparently, something was nicked during the biopsy and it caused extreme internal bleeding (which formed a grapefruit sized hematoma in my peritoneum which was compressing my kidney).

The options provided by trauma was: 1) remove the kidney, 2) inject dye and attempt to cauterize the wound, 3) observe and hope the pressure will seal the wound until it can begin to heal (this is the option they went with).

After a week in intensive care, and 5 blood transfusions, I am now home recovering. I am still in incredible pain and it appears that the hematoma has to break up and go on its own or there is a chance of reopening the wound. All of this for a simple 3 hour and back to normal procedure.

After the fact, I am now seeing that recommended observation time post renal biopsy is 4 to 24 hours, not 45 minutes.

I only post this to advise everyone to research anything they are going to have performed and be certain to ask every question that comes to their mind pre and post any procedure. Out kidneys are extremely delicate and also very integral to our blood flow . . . take everything seriously even if it seems to be minor.

Now I sit back and wait to see what kind of additional damage has been done to my already sick kidneys (18 GFR at time of procedure).

[Skeptix]

Good grief what a shambles.. and poor you. I had a kidney biopsy done at the time of CKD diagnosis and if I recall, I was back out and on my feet within the hour...

What were they doing the biopsy for if you don't mind me asking - at eGFR 18 I'd have thought they'd not have much interest in your kidneys.

All the best in any event - may the recovery be speedy and the damage done lite.

[MSWwv in reply to Skeptix]

My GFR plummeted from normal for my age (low 60s) to and 18 in around 18 months. They were doing the biopsy to try to isolate the cause.

[Hunt70 in reply to Skeptix]

So sorry to hear this I will say prayer for you and am just that much more aware thanks for sharing this 🙏💓🙏

[Sophiebun11]

I'm so sorry to hear of your ordeal. You must be the rare risk that is warned of. I'm lucky my Neph decided he didn't need to do one on me

I hope your Dr. at least got the answers he was looking for on the biopsy regarding your eGFR and it wasn't all for nothing.

Best wishes going forward.

[MSWwv in reply to Sophiebun11]

Sadly, it shed no new light on things. The report showed that it was simple from damage being a Type II Diabetic.

[Helloyall in reply to MSWwv]

Were you on Metaformin or other medication? Did they decrease the dosage at the first sign of decline? How well were the BG controlled? What an ordeal.

[AndrewT]

Dear MSWwv,

withour being, in any way Patronising..... You Poor Man! If it's any conilaition, I personally, have never 'Heard' of this before- except maybe in the Literature.

I had this Procedure myself, some time ago- long before any Kidney Problems manifested- and alsp Post Transplant.... both without Incident.

Can I offer you my, indeed ALL, our Very Best Wishes

AndrewT

[MSWwv in reply to AndrewT]

Murphys law loves me!

[Tolmezzo]

So sorry. I can only confirm my wife stands inside hospital 24 hours with strong commitment to lye on the bed and not move even only for bathroom. All the best!

[jodaer]

What an ordeal you had. If they nicked something that could be considered malpractice (IMHO), I had a biopsy in Oct 21 and I spent 23 hours in the hospital for observation. Not that the nurse or hospital doctor actually observed me nor did they even ask if I had any blood in my urine. I'm so sorry you had to go through that but am glad you're on the road to recovery.

[Irelandy]

I'm so sorry to hear of your experience. My egfr is also 18 and its left me extremely exhausted. Two years ago my nephew wanted to do a biopsy. I read up on it and decided it was superfluous, I asked here for advice and the general consensus was no. I hope you make a good recovery.

[OKShakespeare]

You have suffered a physical, mental, emotional, and financial trauma and should be able to sue for compensation for injuries. I hope you can, because you put your life in the hands of professionals who botched the job. If you were having a new water heater installed in your home and the plumber caused a water leak that flooded it you would have a case. I am wondering if the same can be applied to the medical malfeasance that could have taken your life.

[Buspasswalker in reply to OKShakespeare]

I don’t know what the system is in the USA but in the UK you have to sign a consent form before any procedure or operation. This warns about any consequences of the procedure, from simple reactions up to death. Nicking a part of an organ is one of the most common events in an operation, especially where gas is pumped into you to float an organ. I had a hysterectomy and was later told my abdominal cavity was filled with blood. I commented that they must have nicked something as otherwise surely I would have collapsed if it had been the case before the op. The surgeon looked shocked, but I said it was okay, I was still here and they had sorted it. Another lady’s bladder had been nicked and she got an acute infection and was quite poorly for a few days, but we agreed that we had been warned beforehand and these things happen in surgery - hence the pre-op consent forms. Surgeons don’t set out to harm you, and it is just unfortunate when it happens. There is too much of a blame and compensation culture these days. People also don’t realise that the money paid out in compensation has to come out of money for patient care, so everyone suffers.

[OKShakespeare in reply to Buspasswalker]

Of all the things in life where mistakes are made, healthcare should not be easily considered as one of them. Too many people die as result of poor care and an attitude that treats patients as objects rather than human beings. Perhaps physicians and surgeons don't set out to do harm but there are far too many who are incompetent who would do patients a great favor by working in another field rather than continue failing to help those in need.

[Buspasswalker in reply to OKShakespeare]

But surely with all the training and supervision and risk of being sued these days most incompetent people should not get through the net? In the main these results are accidental and often due to things like gas moving organs in the cavity at the time if an incision etc. Such events are thankfully rare, but do happen. I've had other things "go wrong" but no way would I blame the surgeon unless there was clear evidence of malpractice. To err is human as they say, but often things which go wrong are a glitch in our own bodily reactions to something.

[WildIris in reply to Buspasswalker]

I like that you're seeing the surgeon's side- not enough of that kind of thinking. There is another side too though- future patients if it was a surgeon who for whatever reason was a bit zoned out at the wrong time. Not that is should be up to you to figure that out.

[Buspasswalker in reply to WildIris]

Very true. And a tired surgeon is always a worry if there have been a lot if emergencies slotted in!

[Ziggydoodah in reply to Buspasswalker]

Just read this comment. My consultant was talking about the benefits of a live donor kidney. He said this is what u want and the surgeon will be well rested. You don't want a surgeon thst has been dragged out of his bed and started laughing away to himself. I just sat horrified 😳😳😳😳

[OKShakespeare in reply to Buspasswalker]

The net has many holes through which those who are ill suited for a life of caring for the sick and infirm pass. If it makes you feel more confident in the care you receive by believing that your best interests are served by your physician and that adverse events are rare, then keep that opinion. As a person who has been severely injured by licensed physicians several times and who has been given poor advice many times, I am very skeptical of accepting procedures and medications that may not be in my own best interest. Additionally, as an advocate for a patient I have seen life threatening mistakes that could have had serious consequences if I had not been present to question the error. Medical professionals who work on people's bodies and whose errors can cause their deaths must be held to the highest possible standard and should not be allowed to practice without fear of retribution for errors in judgement.

[Buspasswalker in reply to OKShakespeare]

Agreed, and I have had things go wrong too. However, incompetent surgeons are few and far between, and these days any such staff should be spotted due to all the updates in training, mentoring etc. I work in a hospital and liaise with solicitors, insurance companies, patients, relatives and others obtaining records often for cases where they believe “things have gone wrong”. At the end of the day , thankfully, very few turn out to be surgical errors. The majority are down to delays, equipment failure, unexpected patient reactions, or uncooperative patients. I would trust our surgeons, and that’s what we have to do at the end of the day if the procedure is unavoidable.

[CatOnACloud in reply to Buspasswalker]

I lost my kidney at 17 because no one listened to my pain since 6 years of age, and because of a very fixable congenital ureter obstruction. I had no energy to sue and still don’t with anything and it does take considerable acuity and energy, especially for negligence vs malpractice.

[Buspasswalker in reply to CatOnACloud]

That is sad to hear. You are right in what you say about the process of suing.

[Bond-007 in reply to OKShakespeare]

Shakespeare, u r sooo right. Read “when we do harm” & “elderhood” both by Drs.

[OKShakespeare in reply to Bond-007]

Thank you. I will take a look.

[Marvin8 in reply to OKShakespeare]

The American health care system is terrible at filtering out bad physicians. It usually boils down to malpractice insurance that determines whether they shouldn't be practicing.

[CatOnACloud in reply to Marvin8]

Well it goes to the state licensing board actually…and in the us of a there’s a whole lotta states eh

[Hello67]

I’m so sorry for all that you’re going through. You are in our prayers. God bless 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[drmind]

Good grief this is so scary. Aside from the physical pain, I'm sure it was an emotional roller coaster. Hoping your recovery continues and there was no further damage.

[Buspasswalker]

Sadly these things happen to some and it is awful if it happens to you. Unfortunately some people have unexpected reactions, but most procedures carry risks. I hope you recover fully and that you get any available treatment needed to improve your situation. Rest up and take care. Hoping you feel better soon.

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador]

Oh I am so sorry this has happened to you. What an awful and traumatizing experience. It is so sad when we must put our trust in strangers and mistakes like your happen. Please care for yourself well. Rest and recuperate as well as possible. Blessings

[debsgm]

So sorry for you!😢When I had a kidney biopsy to confirm lupus nephritis I was not discharged from the renal unit until the next day.

This is a CLEAR CASE OF CLINICAL NEGLIGENCE!

A 45 minute post procedure observation then discharge is against clinical guidelines. Well below standards for nephrology. Sue them!

All the best.

[BeachLove]

What a horrific experience. I wish you hope and healing. Thank you for the words of wisdom and experience.

[Darlenia]

One generally assumes nothing will happen when one sees low statistical chances for complications - 2%, 3% and so on - until things happen and one finds oneself there. Sometimes it's hard to believe that real people do make up those percentages and suffer the consequences - physically and emotionally. So sorry it happened to you. Sending positive wishes your way that your situation bounces back to a better place soon.

[Bond-007]

I am thinking the Dr made a mistake but to find out - get the full medical records surrounding this & review with good pcp or nephrologist. Get 2nd & 3rd opinions. Now I know why they are also conservative with prostate biopsies & that biopsy is not a risk free procedure. Get better soon.

[Sunsetter]

Hi MSWvw. So sorry to hear your horrendous tale - what a trauma- I hope the outcome will be good for you in the end. When I had a kidney biopsy a couple of years ago in England the standard procedure is for you to remain on your back for about 6-8 hours to ensure there is no internal bleeding and they check your urine for blood. I was only allowed home accompanied by my husband who must attend all night to make sure I’m ok. You know this now - can you sue them for negligence???

[Darlenia in reply to Sunsetter]

We often assume that the US has the best healthcare in the world, and that's often not so. Nice to hear that you received outstanding care in England.

[KrazyKYFan]

Wow I am so sorry to hear about your problems with the biopsy. I completely sympathize with you because I had something VERY similar happen to me back in September of 2021. I'm 41 years old - male - and I have been diagnosed with CKD now for about six years. I went in to Emory University Hospital in Atlanta for a kidney biopsy, which I was told was a routine procedure and that I would be home that evening. They took samples from my left kidney and everything went smoothly. I went into post-op to wait the 4 hours of recovery time so that they could monitor me. About 45 minutes into the recovery I experienced pain like I have never felt in my life all along my left side. I've had a transmetatarsal amputation on my left foot and it was a cakewalk compared to this. They rushed me back to do a CT scan and I too had a massive hematoma surrounding my kidney. The doctor said it was a very rare occurance and happens in less than 6% of kidney biopsies. I seriously thought I was going to die and was asking them to page my wife and get her immediately. I ended up in the ICU for 8 days and a regular room for four more days before my numbers had improved enough to discharge me. My eGFR at the time was right at about 20 and it dropped to a 12 after the bleed. However, on discharge it had improved back up to 22 and the bleeding had stopped. Funny thing is that it stopped on its own - they didn't have to operate or do anything but monitor me and give me pain meds and antibiotics. I also received Lasix and they monitored my urine output. At first they worried I would have to get dialysis but thankfully I was urinating fine. After discharge I didn't have any more problems and my function has pretty much stayed steady in the upper teens/low 20's. I pray that your recovery goes as well and that you recover fully. Don't lose hope and stay positive. Just know we're all pulling for you!

[MSWwv in reply to KrazyKYFan]

Sounds like almost identical experiences. Mine too stopped on its own under monitoring. They said it was due to all the pressure created in the small area by the hematoma. The pain was like no other that I have ever experienced as well.

[CatOnACloud]

Glad you made it through! Horrible stuff. Thanks for sharing.