Revascularisation of iatrogenic superior mesenteric artery injury by end to end anastomosis during robot assisted nephrectomy

INTRODUCTION: Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) injury is very peculiar to left sided renal surgery. Although it is rare only, most of it is unreported. We report a case of SMA injury during robot assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy, which was managed successfully by end to end anastomosis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 19-year-old male patient was undergoing robot assisted laparoscopic simple nephrectomy for pyelonephritic kidney. Because of dense adhesion, SMA was inadvertently clipped and cut. It was recognised intraoperatively and an end to end anastomosis was done by laparotomy. DISCUSSION: SMA injury is rarely encountered in surgical practice. Most of it occurs following trauma. Iatrogenic SMA injury occurs in case of distorted local anatomy either due to adhesion or bulky tumor in left renal fossa and vicinity. CONCLUSION: One should be cautious about proximity of SMA and its possible injury during left nephrectomy and it should be repaired as soon as possible.