Nicos Kessaris

Renal transplantation in identical twins in United States and United Kingdom.

Background. The primary aim was to review the graft and patient survival of all recipients of a living identical twin donor renal transplant in the United States and United Kingdom, between 1988 and 2004. The secondary aim was to assess their maintenance immunosuppression. Methods. Data of all the patients who underwent living identical twin donor renal transplantation in the United States and United Kingdom during 1988-2004 were retrieved from United Network for Organ Sharing and UK transplant, respectively. Further data were retrieved by sending letters to the individual transplant units in the United Kingdom. Results. There were 120 living identical twin donor renal transplants in the United States and 12 in the United Kingdom during the study period. Graft survival was 99.17%, 91.84%, and 88.96% in the US group at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively, and 83.3%, 83.3%, and 75% in the UK group during the same follow-up period. Patient survival was 100%, 97.01%, and 97.01% in the US group at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively, and 100% in the UK group during the same 5-year follow-up period. A large number of patients were on some form of immunosuppression. Conclusions. Graft and patient survival were good in both countries. These results are better than those published in the literature over the previous 20 years. Although phenotypic differences in monozygotic twins can exist, immunosuppression may be unnecessary in all these patients. Ideally, all identical twins who are currently on immunosuppression should undergo zygosity testing to establish whether they should continue the immunosuppression unless they need it for another reason.

How safe is hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy?—Results of 200 live donor nephrectomies by two different techniques

BACKGROUND Despite the rapid introduction of laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy, doubts exist about safety compared with open surgery. Early series have often reported on selective donor groups. We present a consecutive, prospective analysis of morbidity following hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (HALDN) compared with historical controls undergoing open donation (ODN) in a total of 200 living donors at a single UK centre. METHODS The results of 144 consecutively performed HALDN donors were compared to 56 preceding ODN patients. Patients with multiple arteries, right-sided nephrectomies and obesity were included. Data on recovery and complications were collected prospectively and consecutively. RESULTS There were two (1.4%) major complications in the HALDN group and one in the ODN group (1.8%, P = 0.629). Additionally, there were 24 minor complications in 23 HADLN patients (16.7%), compared with 21 in 21 ODN patients (37.5%, P = 0.003). Time taken to return to normal activity and mean post-operative stay was significantly shorter for the HALDN group. There was no mortality in either group. CONCLUSIONS Contrary to concerns, we report a safe experience with HALDN with a low rate of major complications. Furthermore, our patients spend less time in hospital with an earlier return to normal activity compared with open donation.

Clinically Significant Peripancreatic Fluid Collections After Simultaneous Pancreas-Kidney Transplantation

Background Peripancreatic fluid collections (PPFC) are a serious complication after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPKTx). Methods Retrospective study for all 223 SPKTx performed from December 8, 1996, to October 10, 2011, to evaluate the risk factors (RF) and impact of PPFCs on outcomes was conducted. Results Clinically significant PPFCs were seen in 36 (16%) cases, all within 3 months after transplantation. Radiologic drainage resolved 2 (6%) cases, and 34 required laparotomy (mean [SD], 4 [7]). Compared with the non-PPFC group (n=186), the PPFC group had similar patient and total kidney graft survivals but significantly lower total pancreas survival (68% vs. 85%) and greater incidence of infections (75% vs. 46%, all P<0.05) at 5 years. PPFCs were associated with early graft pancreatitis in 18 (50%), pancreatic fistula in 20 (56%, 9 with obvious duodenal stump leak) and infection in the collection in 20 (56%) cases. Comparison of PPFCs with pancreas graft loss to the PPFCs with surviving grafts showed that the incidence of pancreatic fistula was greater in the former (90% pancreas graft loss vs. 42% pancreas graft survival, P<0.01). Binary logistic regression analysis of RF for developing PPFC showed a donor age >30 years to be significant (P=0.03; odds ratio, 3.4; confidence interval, 1.1–10.5) and a trend of association with donor body mass index >30 and pancreas cold ischemia time greater than 12 hr. Conclusions PPFCs are associated with significant reduction in pancreas allograft survival and impact resource use. Donor age >30 years is a significant RF for their development. PPFCs associated with pancreatic fistula carry a greater risk for pancreas graft loss.

Is laparoscopic donation safe for paediatric recipients? A study of 85 paediatric recipients comparing open and laparoscopic donor nephrectomy

INTRODUCTION The safety of adult laparoscopic donor nephrectomy remains controversial with respect to paediatric recipients with few data existing about its efficacy. Small studies have shown no difference in graft survival when compared with open techniques, but previous data from United Network for Organ Sharing suggests a higher incidence of rejection in laparoscopically procured kidneys. METHODS We examined the outcome in a total of 85 consecutive paediatric renal recipients, comparing 46 recipients of laparoscopically procured kidneys (performed over a 3-year period, 2004-07) to a historical control of 39 open donor recipients. Thirty-seven laparoscopic donors were by the hand-assisted technique. RESULTS Mean recipient age was 9.8 (SD 5.04) years in the laparoscopic group and 10.4 (SD 4.67) years in the open group (P = 0.617). Two patients had delayed graft function in the laparoscopic group (4.3%) and one (2.5%) in the open group (P = 0.562). At 1 year follow-up, there was 100% graft survival in the laparoscopic group compared to 92% (P = 0.093) in the open group. Incidence of biopsy-proven acute rejection within 1 year of transplant was 26% (16 episodes in 12 patients) in the laparoscopic group compared to 41% (29 episodes in 16 patients) in the open group (P = 0.219). There were no deaths in the laparoscopic group but there were three deaths (7.6%) in the open group (P = 0.093). CONCLUSIONS Our experience of laparoscopic kidney donation for paediatric recipients suggests excellent outcome with no difference in rejection rate or graft survival compared to open donation. Laparoscopic donation is the optimal method of kidney procurement for paediatric recipients.

Incidence and Outcome of C4d Staining With Tubulointerstitial Inflammation in Blood Group-incompatible Kidney Transplantation.

Background The last Banff 2013 report recognizes acute/active antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) and C4d staining without evidence of rejection. The goal of our study was to analyze the incidence of C4d deposition after ABO-incompatible transplantation and assess outcomes in patients with ABMR, C4d staining without evidence of rejection (all acute Banff scores = 0), and C4d staining with tubulointerstitial inflammation (i > 0 with or without tubulitis). Methods Three-months ‘For cause’ or protocol biopsies in 50 ABO-incompatible patients were rescored and were correlated with clinical outcomes and antibody titres. Results Active/acute ABMR was found in 23 patients (46%), C4d staining without evidence of rejection in 7 patients (14%), C4d staining with tubulointerstitial inflammation in 6 patients (12%), tubulointerstitial inflammation in 6 patients (12%), and no evidence of rejection in 8 patients (16%). Patients with active/acute ABMR had a 3-month estimated glomerular filtration rate (median,: 43 mL/min) lower than patients with no evidence of rejection (median, 61 mL/min; P = 0.01). However, after 3 months, a progressively declining estimated glomerular filtration rate was observed more frequently in patients with C4d staining and tubulointerstitial inflammation when compared to patients with no evidence of rejection (100% vs 25%, P = 0.03). Finally, independently of C4d status, interstitial inflammation occurred more frequently in patients with a pretransplant ABO antibody titre higher than 16 and/or posttransplant ABO antibody increase. Conclusions Whereas isolated C4d deposition and isolated interstitial inflammation appear to be benign lesions, C4d deposition in association with interstitial inflammation is the biopsy finding most strongly associated with the development of chronic graft dysfunction.

Clinical outcomes with ABO antibody titer variability in a multicenter study of ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation in the United Kingdom.

ABO blood group‐incompatible kidney transplantation (ABOiKTx) outcomes are good, but complications are more common than in conventional transplantation. Regimens that use extracorporeal antibody removal therapy (EART) and enhanced immunosuppression are guided by titration of ABO blood group antibodies (using hemagglutination [HA] dilution assays), and these assays vary significantly in performance between centers. This study aims to describe the differences in titer measurement and the effect on clinical practice and outcomes.

Difference in outcomes after antibody-mediated rejection between abo-incompatible and positive cross-match transplantations.

Graft survival seems to be worse in positive cross‐match (HLAi) than in ABO‐incompatible (ABOi) transplantation. However, it is not entirely clear why these differences exist. Sixty‐nine ABOi, 27 HLAi and 10 combined ABOi+HLAi patients were included in this retrospective study, to determine whether the frequency, severity and the outcome of active antibody‐mediated rejection (AMR) were different. Five‐year death‐censored graft survival was better in ABOi than in HLAi and ABOi+HLAi patients (99%, 69% and 64%, respectively, P = 0.0002). Features of AMR were found in 38%, 95% and 100% of ABOi, HLAi and ABOi+HLAi patients that had a biopsy, respectively (P = 0.0001 and P = 0.001). After active AMR, a declining eGFR and graft loss were observed more frequently in HLAi and HLAi+ABOi than in ABOi patients. The poorer prognosis after AMR in HLAi and ABOi+HLAi transplantations was not explained by a higher severity of histological lesions or by a less aggressive treatment. In conclusion, ABOi transplantation offers better results than HLAi transplantation, partly because AMR occurs less frequently but also because outcome after AMR is distinctly better. HLAi and combined ABOi+HLAi transplantations appear to have the same outcome, suggesting there is no synergistic effect between anti‐A/B and anti‐HLA antibodies.

A change in opinion on surgeon's performance indicators

Individual performance indicators for cardiac surgeons in the UK were published in 2004. A comprehensive update published in 2009 reported statistically significant decreases in mortality rates suggesting that the publication of this data may have contributed to this improvement in outcomes. In view of this, the authors present an assessment of the attitudes of cardiac surgeons to individual performance tables, having performed this by sending questionnaires exploring the surgeons views on performance tables to UK cardiac surgeons in 2005 and 2009. The responses demonstrated that whilst the majority of cardiac surgeons (68.8%) were initially opposed to performance tables, the number welcoming their introduction increased significantly (22.9-48.5%) over the four-year period. The attitude of the consultants towards the possible effect of this data on the management of high-risk patients also changed, with fewer consultants believing they would (P=0.0001) or may (P=0.023) avoid these patients. The observed change in attitude of cardiac surgeons may be due to acclimatization to an established system of audit, improved mortality rates, a desire for more transparency following the Bristol Enquiry, or improved risk stratification. These findings may be of benefit to those tasked with initiating these indicators elsewhere.

Use of the femoral artery route for placement of temporary catheters for emergency haemodialysis when all usual central venous access sites are exhausted

BACKGROUND Urgent dialysis via a temporary central line may be impossible when all central veins are obstructed. METHODS We report 10 patients (7 males and 3 females) over a 5-year period who lost all venous access sites, due to multiple peripheral venous thromboses with a superior vena cava obstruction or stenosis in 50%. These patients required urgent haemodialysis prior to general anaesthetic for a surgical intervention, but in all cases a traditional central venous line could not be used. They were therefore dialysed via a femoral artery catheter (FAC) before surgical rescue or creation of a more definite vascular access (VA). The median age of these patients was 64.7 years. None were suitable for peritoneal dialysis or urgent transplantation. Thirteen FACs (11F dual lumen dialysis catheter) were inserted into the common femoral artery. Both lumens were perfused continuously with heparinized saline (12 000 IU/24 h). All patients underwent a surgical procedure (rescue of previous access/creation of a new exotic one). First dialysis adequacy was assessed and compared to the rescued or new access. RESULTS All patients had been on haemodialysis for a median period of 4.4 years. The mean number of previous access procedures was 17 (range 10-28). The duration of FAC use ranged from 1 to 12 days (mean 5 days). Dialysis adequacy was satisfactory for all patients. Seven patients had a complex vascular access formed and six had thrombectomy of their previous access. There were two complications related to FAC use, which were distal ischaemia and bleeding. Three patients died from access-related problems at 0, 4.6 and 15.0 months. Seven are still dialysed through their fistula or graft as outpatients with a mean follow-up of 14.0 months (range 0-50.9 months). CONCLUSION Femoral artery dialysis is an effective means of haemodialysis as a method to bridge the gap before definitive vascular access formation when all other options have been exhausted.

Successful excision of a suspected mycotic transplant renal artery patch aneurysm with renal allograft autotransplantation.

Aneurysm of the transplant renal artery has an incidence rate of less than 1% and is associated with graft loss and mortality (1). We report a case of a suspected mycotic transplant renal artery patch aneurysm developing in a patient with systemic infection and a functioning renal allograft treated with surgical excision, in situ reconstruction, and subsequent allograft auto transplantation with successful outcome.