Accuracy of Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin in Detecting Acute Kidney Injury after Urogenital Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery under General Anesthesia

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the accuracy of NGAL in detecting acute kidney injury (AKI) after urogenital robotic surgery in general anesthesia. Methods: A prospective longitudinal observational study, which included patients scheduled for elective robotic surgery under general anesthesia. The serum and urine NGAL at induction, 6 hours and 12 hours were determined. Serum creatinine was measured preoperatively and daily 4 days postoperatively. AKI was defined as the absolute growth of serum creatinine by 0.3 mg/dl over baseline within 48 hours postoperatively. Results: 24 patients were enrolled in the study. AKI occurred in 38% of patients. Serum NGAL increased significantly at 6 hours and 12h, compared to baseline, with a higher increase in the group of patents without AKI. There were no significant results for urine NGAL. A link was observed between the values of serum NGAL, with associated significance p<0.0001. The correlations between urine NGAL were not significant. The predictive value of NGAL, analyzed by cross-tabulation, OR was 3 for baseline value and 5.33 for the values measured at 6 hours and 12 hours, but with no statistical significance. Conclusions: The modifications of the NGAL levels, measured at 6 hours and 12 hours from the induction of anesthesia, were significant with more importance at 6 hours and in patients without AKI. Serum NGAL had no predictive value for AKI, but the risk to develop AKI was 3 times higher for baseline determination and 5 times at 6 and 12 hours.