Keith M. Rigg

Urological complications following renal transplantation

A total of 1016 consecutive renal transplants performed between 1976 and 1990 were analysed retrospectively to determine the incidence of urological complìcations and possible predisposing factors. Some 189 episodes of ureteric obstruction and/or urinary leak occurred in 143 patients (overall incidence 14.1 %). The median annual rate of urinary leak was 5.1%; that of ureteric obstruction was 4.5% pre-1986 and 16.1% post-1986. Sixty-three episodes of urinary leak occurred in 54 patients from 1 day to 3 months post-transplant and 60% involved the distal ureter. Thirty were treated primarily by reconstructive surgery, ten required nephrectomy and three died of associated sepsis. A total of 126 episodes of ureteric obstruction occurred in 104 patients from 1 day to 12 years post-transplant and 86% involved the distal ureter. Prior to 1986, 10/11 patients with ureteric obstruction were treated by reconstructive surgery, but since then 88 (95%) have been treated by percutaneous nephrostomy, with or without stenting, with only one graft lost and no deaths. Children had a significantly increased incidence of ureteric obstruction (P<0.001) whilst male recipients had an increased incidence of urinary leak (P=0.04). More patients with ureteric obstruction than those without had two or more episodes of rejection (P=0.03). No single cause for the increased incidence of ureteric obstruction since 1986 has been identified. Continued attention to technical detail and further study of this trend is warranted.

Urological complications following renal transplantation. A study of 1016 consecutive transplants from a single centre

Abstract A total of 1016 consecutive renal transplants performed between 1976 and 1990 were analysed retrospectively to determine the incidence of urological complications and possible predisposing factors, Some 189 episodes of ureteric obstruction and/or urinary leak occurred in 143 patients (overall incidence 14.1%). The median annual rate of urinary leak was 5.1%; that of ureteric obstruction was 4.5% pre‐1986 and 16.1% post‐1986. Sixty‐three episodes of urinary leak occurred in 54 patients from 1 day to 3 months post‐transplant and 60% involved the distal ureter. Thirty were treated primarily by reconstructive surgery, ten required ne‐phrectomy and three died of associated sepsis. A total of 126 episodes of ureteric obstruction occurred in 104 patients from 1 day to 12 years post‐transplant and 86% involved the distal ureter. Prior to 1986, 10/11 patients with ureteric abstruction were treated by reconstructive surgery, but since then 88 (95%) have been treated by percutaneous nephrostomy, with or without stent‐ing, with only one graft lost and no deaths. Children had a significantly increased incidence of ureteric obstruction (P < 0.001) whilst male recipients had an increased incidence of urinary leak (P=0.04). More patients with ureteric obstruction than those without had two or more episodes of rejection (P=0.03). No single cause for the increased incidence of ureteric obstruction since 1986 has been identified. Continued attention to technical detail and further study of this trend is warranted.

The value of posttransplant monitoring of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, and soluble CD23 in the plasma of renal allograft recipients.

Over the past few years, the central role of cytokines in the amplification of the immune response has been reported and several studies have examined the relationship between the plasma level of individual lymphokines during renal allograft rejection. The aim of the present investigation was to study simultaneously IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, and soluble CD23. Analysis of results has allowed both the prognostic value and any possible interrelationships between the measured cytokines to be determined. We studied 16 renal transplant recipients for the first 14 days after transplantation. Seven patients showed clinical evidence of acute allograft rejection and 5 showed excellent stable graft function with no signs of rejection. Primary nonfunction was seen in 4.

Late perfusion. A simple remedy for renal allograft primary nonfunction.

Primary nonfunction in renal allografts makes the diagnosis of allograft dysfunction more difficult and may effect long-term graft survival. The prevention of primary nonfunction by a reperfusion technique has been assessed in a prospective analysis of 145 consecutive renal transplants performed in a single center. All kidneys were retrieved using an in situ perfusion method, and all but 13 recipients received a standardized immunosuppressive protocol with cyclosporine. The first 106 transplants were performed without the benefit of any additional perfusion, and the incidence of primary nonfunction was 57.5% in these patients. The last 39 kidneys received additional perfusion with kidney perfusion fluid immediately prior to implantation (late perfusion). In the latter group, the incidence of primary nonfunction was 30.8% (P = 0.007). Using logistic regression analysis, only three factors were found to be associated with primary nonfunction: immunosuppression with cyclosporine (P = 0.01), a second warm ischemia time of greater than 35 min (P = 0.002), and late perfusion (P = 0.003). In this study, the use of late perfusion alone has reduced the incidence of primary nonfunction by almost one half. The technique is simple, safe, inexpensive, and effective. Its routine use is now advocated in all renal transplants.