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CASE REPORT
Pneumomediastinum as a complication of robotic-assisted radical nephrectomy: A case report
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1
Department of Urology, Frimley Park Hospital, Camberley, Surrey GU167 UJ,
United Kingdom
Bladder, e21200069 https://doi.org/10.14440/bladder.0194
Submitted: 8 July 2025 | Revised: 27 August 2025 | Accepted: 8 September 2025 | Published: 6 October 2025
© 2025 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )
Abstract
Background: Pneumomediastinum represents a rare but potentially serious complication of robotic-assisted radical nephrectomy, often resulting from carbon dioxide insufflation during retroperitoneal surgery. Case presentation: Reported here is a case of a 78-year-old female who underwent an uneventful robotic-assisted radical nephrectomy for a right renal mass but presented 5 days postoperatively with shortness of breath and chest discomfort. Imaging confirmed extensive pneumomediastinum without esophageal perforation. She was managed conservatively with oxygen therapy, pain control, and a soft diet, leading to full recovery. Conclusion: Awareness of risk factors, such as a low body mass index, prolonged operative time, and extensive retroperitoneal dissection, is essential for early recognition and management of this rare complication.
Keywords
Radical nephrectomy
Esophageal
Pneumomediastinum
Funding
None.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare they have no competing interests.
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