Robert C. Minnee

Human Cytomegalovirus Induces Systemic Immune Activation Characterized by a Type 1 Cytokine Signature

Mechanisms underlying the onset and perpetuation of chronic immune activation in individuals without overt infectious or autoimmune diseases are unclear. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a persistent virus that induces a permanent increase of highly differentiated, interferon-gamma-secreting effector T cells. We hypothesized that, because of this increase, CMV also induces a systemic inflammatory response. We measured acute phase proteins, cytokines, and chemokines in serum samples from renal transplant recipients who developed a primary CMV infection and healthy CMV serum-positive or -negative individuals. Primary CMV infection induced a clear proinflammatory response that was maintained during latency. This response was characterized by increased levels of acute phase proteins, such as serum amyloid-A and C-reactive protein, and type 1 cytokines, such as interleukin-18, interferon-inducible protein-10, and interferon-gamma. This continuous activation of the immune system may play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic allograft rejection and potentially contribute to the acceleration of chronic diseases.

Left or right kidney in hand-assisted donor nephrectomy? A randomized controlled trial.

Background. There is an ongoing discussion in living renal transplantation whether the right or the left donor nephrectomy is to be preferred if both kidneys are equal, due to the lack of prospective studies. Methods. A prospective single-center randomized trial was conducted from April 2002 to September 2006, in which 60 eligible consecutive donors were randomized to either left-sided or right-sided hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (HALDN). Primary endpoint was operation time. Secondary endpoints were donor morbidity, warm ischemia time, delayed graft function, urological complications, quality of life, and graft survival. Results. Median operating time for left-sided HALDN (180 min) was significantly longer compared with right-sided HALDN (150 min; P=0.021). There were no conversions in both groups. There were no major intra- or postoperative complications. One-year graft survival rate was 96% in the left group versus 93% in the right group (P=0.625, log rank). Conclusions. Operating time of HALDN of the right kidney is significantly shorter than HALDN of the left kidney. No differences were detected in complication rates and graft survival between left and right-sided donor nephrectomy.

Older living kidney donors: Surgical outcome and quality of life

Background. Older living kidney donors remain controversial because of their physiological decline in glomerular filtration rate and their increased susceptibility of surgical complications. Little is known about the quality of life (QOL) of this elderly group. The purpose of this study is to examine surgical outcome and the QOL in older living donors. Patients and Methods. All 105 consecutive living donors who underwent a laparoscopic donor nephrectomy between June 2002 and February 2006 were prospectively included in the study. Intra- and postoperative complications were measured. Quality of life was recorded preoperatively and at several endpoints postoperatively. Older donors were defined as 55 years and older. Results. There were no significant differences in intra- and postoperative complication rates and 1-year graft survival rate between both groups. Elderly donors (n=34) had both a significant lower postoperative pain at rest at day 1 compared with the younger group (P=0.019) and a lower total pain score in the analysis for the whole follow-up period (P=0.002). Although small solitary significant differences in Short Form-36 Health Survey, Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20 and visual analogue scale measuring pain, between both groups were detected, in general QOL of older donors was not different than of younger donors. Conclusion. Although small solitary significant differences exist with respect to pain, social functioning and mental health older donors, in general, have similar surgical outcome and quality of life when compared with younger donors. There is no need to exclude older donors in screening programs for transplantation.

Comparison of hand-assisted laparoscopic and open donor nephrectomy in living donors.

Objectives:  Although the advent of (hand‐assisted) laparoscopic donor nephrectomy has had a positive effect on the donor pool, there is still some concern about the increased morbidity and safety of the laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. The aim of this study was to compare the results of hand‐assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (HALD) with open donor nephrectomy (ODN).

Comparative Study of Venous Arterialization and Pedal Bypass in a Patient Cohort with Critical Limb Ischemia

OBJECTIVES Patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) have a poor life expectancy, and aggressive revascularization is accepted as a means to maintain their independence in the end stage of life. The goal of this case-control study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of distal venous arterialization and compare this with pedal bypass surgery in patients with CLI, and to identify potential risk factors that could be used to effectively identify patients at high risk of graft occlusion and amputation. METHODS A retrospective cohort of patients was treated for CLI using venous arterialization or pedal bypass between 2007 and 2012. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate predictors for limb salvage and patency. RESULTS In 40 patients with CLI, 21 venous arterializations and 19 pedal bypasses were performed. In the venous arterialization group, early occlusion was 15%, 1-year patency was 71%, and limb salvage was 53%. In the PB group, early occlusion was 23%, one-year patency was 75% and limb salvage was 47%. The only independent risk factor for limb salvage in multivariate analysis was bypass occlusion (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Limb salvage after venous arterialization was equal to limb salvage after pedal bypass surgery in this clinical comparative study.

Is a selective splinted ureterocystostomy protocol feasible in renal transplantation? An analysis of 475 renal transplantations

Routine splinting of the ureterocystostomy during renal transplantation lowers the urological complication rate but increases patients morbidity. The number needed to treat to prevent one urological complication is high. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors, which can be used in the implementation of a selective splinting ureterocystostomy protocol. Retrospective analysis of 475 consecutive renal transplantations performed between January 1999 and December 2004. Donor, surgical‐technical and recipient factors were assessed. Urological complications occurred in 62 (13%) patients. In 29 of these 62 patients (6.1%), only a temporary percutaneous nephrostomy catheter was necessary and in 33 (6.9%) surgical revision was required. Episodes of acute rejection and delayed graft function were identified as the only independent risk factors for a urological complication: odds ratio 2.62 [95% confidence interval: (CI) 1.38–4.97] and 2.22 (95% CI: 1.14–4.33), respectively. None of the risk factors for urological complications after renal transplantation that are known at the time of performing the ureterocystostomy are useful for the implementation of a selective splinting protocol.

Risk Factors for Delayed Graft Function After Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Donor Nephrectomy

BACKGROUND Delayed graft function (DGF) has a negative effect on the results of living-donor kidney transplantation. OBJECTIVE To investigate potential risk factors for DGF. METHODS This prospective study included 200 consecutive living donors and their recipients between January 2002 and July 2007. Delayed graft function was defined as need for dialysis within the first postoperative week. RESULTS Delayed graft function was diagnosed in 12 patients (6%). Intraoperative complications occurred in 10 donors (5%), and postoperative complications in 24 donors (13.5%). One-year kidney graft survival with vs without DGF was 52% and 98%, respectively (P < .002). In donors, 2 univariate risk factors for DGF identified were lower counts per second at peak activity during scintigraphy, and multiple renal veins. In recipients, only 2 or more kidney transplantations and occurrence of an acute rejection episode were important factors. At multivariate analysis, increased risk of DGF was associated with the presence of multiple renal veins (odds ratio, 151.57; 95% confidence interval, 2.53-9093.86) and an acute rejection episode (odds ratio, 78.87; 95% confidence interval, 3.17-1959.62). CONCLUSION Hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy is a safe procedure. The presence of multiple renal veins and occurrence of an acute rejection episode are independent risk factors for DGF.

Risk factors for perioperative complications in hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy

Living donor kidney transplant is the preferred treatment for end-stage renal disease; however, the shortage of kidney donors remains a big problem. One of the major reasons for the shortage of living donors is the risk of potentially serious surgical complications of a procedure in which the donor has no personal medical benefit. Therefore it is important to understand the risk factors for perioperative complications associated with donor nephrectomy. Hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy is the preferred approach for kidney procurement in many medical centers. This review gives an overview of the risk factors in donor nephrectomy and more specifically in hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy.

Transplant nephrectomy: What are the surgical risks?

BACKGROUND Whether or not to remove a failed renal graft has been the subject of much debate. One reason for a cautious approach to graft removal is its high morbidity and mortality rates. We analyzed the morbidity, mortality, and risk factors of transplant nephrectomy at our center. MATERIAL AND METHODS We included 157 cases of transplant nephrectomy in 143 patients, performed between January 2000 and May 2012 at the Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam. Patient data were collected retrospectively. RESULTS A total of 32 surgical complications occurred after transplant nephrectomy (20%) and 16 patients needed surgical re-intervention (10%). Hemorrhage and infection are the most frequent causes of surgical complications (14%). The mortality rate was 3.2%. There were no significant differences in characteristics and timing of transplant nephrectomy between the group with surgical complications and the group without. A total of 59 re-transplantations were performed in 57 patients (38%). CONCLUSIONS Transplant nephrectomy is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. We found no significant risk factors for surgical complications following transplant nephrectomy and no significant association between timing of transplant nephrectomy and surgical complications. Steps to reduce these complications need further investigation.

Vesicoureteral Reflux in Kidney Transplantation

Background: Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is frequently found after transplantation, but its impact on graft function, urine tract infection, and graft loss remains uncertain. Therefore our objective was to evaluate the effects of VUR on the outcome of renal transplantation. Material and Methods: We included 1008 adult renal transplant recipients of whom a 1-week posttransplant voiding cystourethrogram was available. Study end points included occurrence of bacteriuria, renal function, and graft survival. Results: In total, 106 (10.5%) of 1008 graft recipients had a diagnosis of VUR on voiding cystography. The incidence of bacteriuria was comparable in the reflux and nonreflux group (17% vs 17.4%, P = .91). There was no significant difference in renal function at 3 months and 1 year in patients with and without VUR. One- and 5-year graft survival in patients with VUR was 85.8% and 82.1% compared to 87.3% and 83.0% in patients without VUR (P = .68 and P = .80). Conclusion: Posttransplant VUR has no correlations with early bacteriuria, renal function, and graft survival.