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PubMed2001

Hand assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy: a comparison with the open approach.

PURPOSE: Hand assisted laparoscopy combines aspects of open and laparoscopic surgery. A hand in the abdomen may facilitate laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy, allowing more urologists to participate. We report and compare our initial series of hand assisted laparoscopy donor nephrectomy with nephrectomy performed by standard open methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the last 18 months 60 patients at 2 institutions underwent hand assisted laparoscopy donor nephrectomy. This cohort was compared to a contemporary group of 31 patients who underwent open donor nephrectomy via a flank incision at our 2 institutions. Demographic and outcome data were compared retrospectively in a nonrandomized fashion in the 2 groups. RESULTS: Demographic data on patient age, male-to-female ratio and body mass index were similar in the 2 groups. Operative time, transfusion rate, time to oral intake and complications were also similar. However, estimated blood loss, change in hematocrit preoperatively to postoperatively, hospitalization, parenteral and oral narcotic requirement, and donor convalescence were significantly less in the hand assisted laparoscopy versus open groups. In terms of allograft function, nadir creatinine, time to nadir creatinine, creatinine clearance at 6, 12, and 18 months, delayed graft function, episodes of acute rejection and ureteral stricture were similar in the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Hand assisted laparoscopy is safe, efficacious and reproducible for living related donor nephrectomy. Compared with the open technique hand assisted laparoscopy provides the donor with significantly decreased postoperative morbidity, while enabling excellent allograft function. Further randomized prospective studies are warranted.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Long-term use of recombinant human growth hormone in pediatric allograft recipients: a report of the NAPRTCS Transplant Registry.

Data from the NAPRTCS database were analyzed for growth, allograft function, and targeted adverse events (AE) over a 5-year period in 513 recipients who received recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) treatment and compared with the outcome of 2,263 concurrent controls who did not receive rhGH. Recipients less than 10 years of age grew better than older recipients. Final adult height was superior in the rhGH-treated group compared with the control group. Allograft function and graft failure rate was similar in the rhGH-treated and control groups. No increased incidence of AE was noted in the rhGH-treated group. rhGH is effective and safe for use in growth-retarded pediatric renal allograft recipients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1982

Circulating immune complexes during various forms of renal allograft rejection episodes.

Previous reports on the nephritogenic and immunological enhancing capacity of posttransplant circulating immune complexes (CICs) are conflicting and have been confined to the study of acute rejection episode (AR). This study was undertaken to assess the nephritogenicity of CICs in patients undergoing accelerated acute rejection (AAR) and chronic rejection (CR) episodes. We also assessed the possible role of CICs as mediators of immunological enhancement by assessing CIC levels in long-term-stable allograft recipients. To asses the nephritiogenic role of CICs, 98 CIC determinations were performed on 49 serum samples from 41 pediatric renal transplant recipients using the C1q solid-phase assay (C1q-SPA) and the Raji cell radioimmunoassay (Raji-RIA). Serum samples from normal subjects served as controls. No recipient undergoing AAR had evidence of CICs by eigher assay. 5 of 21 (23.8%) recipients undergoing CR had positive CIC levels in the Raji-RIA, while 4 of 21 (19%) recipients had positive CICs inthe C1q-SPA. There was no statistically significant correlation of CIC levels with long-term allograft function. In addition, there was no evidence supporting antithymocyte globulin as an immunogen in patients demonstrating posttransplant CICs. In summary, CICs do not appear to be an important mediator of AAR or CR episodes, and CICs were not routinely detected in patients with good long-term allograft function.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗

PubMed1999

Drug-induced acute interstitial nephritis in renal allografts: histopathologic features and clinical course in six patients.

Drug-induced acute interstitial nephritis is a common cause of dysfunction in native kidneys, but is rarely reported in renal allografts. This report describes six renal transplant recipients with acute renal allograft dysfunction or delayed allograft function in whom a renal transplant biopsy showed histopathologic features of drug-induced interstitial nephritis with no diagnostic evidence of acute rejection, cyclosporine or tacrolimus nephrotoxicity, or other lesion that could account for the graft dysfunction. In five of the six patients, interstitial nephritis occurred within 4 weeks of transplantation. All the patients were receiving trimethaprim-sulfamethoxazole and/or other drugs associated with interstitial nephritis. After discontinuation of these drugs and short-term corticosteroid treatment, all patients showed improvement in renal function, although the time course of this improvement varied considerably, with three patients showing a return to baseline serum creatinine level within 2 weeks and two patients showing a gradual improvement over 8 weeks. Four of the five patients followed up for more than 1 year (range, 14 to 33 months) after the episode of interstitial nephritis had good allograft function (serum creatinine level </= 1.6 mg/dL) at most recent follow-up, with one patient who had graft loss because of severe rejection 7.5 months after the development of interstitial nephritis. These findings suggest drug-induced interstitial nephritis may be an infrequent cause of graft dysfunction in kidney transplant recipients. Drug-induced interstitial nephritis is a reversible lesion that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute renal allograft dysfunction.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1993

Tapering or discontinuing cyclosporine for financial reasons--a single-center experience.

In patients with primary cadaveric renal transplants and stable allograft function, we assessed the impact of tapering or discontinuing cyclosporine A (CsA) for financial reasons. Forty-two patients whose CsA was discontinued ("no-dose") and 29 patients whose CsA was tapered to 100 to 150 mg/d ("low-dose"; mean, 1.7 mg/kg/d) were examined. Results were compared with 70 age- and race-matched control patients maintained on at least 200 mg/d of CsA (mean, 3.9 mg/kg/d). Follow-up time for all patients averaged 55 +/- 18 months. Late acute rejection episodes occurred more frequently in no-dose than in low-dose (P = 0.017) or control (P = 0.001) patients. In the no-dose group, blacks experienced a greater number of late acute rejections than whites. These late acute rejections often coincided with the discontinuation of CsA and contributed to an increased rate of allograft loss in blacks in the no-dose group compared with black and white controls (P = 0.011). In contrast, no increase in late acute rejection episodes occurred in blacks tapered to low doses of CsA. Black patients who remained on low doses of CsA also exhibited a trend toward allograft survival that was intermediate between that of control and no-dose patients. In those patients who retained functional allografts, mean serum creatinine concentration did not differ between the study groups at the beginning and end of the follow-up period. These findings support continuance of CsA in black primary cadaveric renal transplant patients, even if dosages must be reduced to 100 to 150 mg/d.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Conversion from cyclosporine to azathioprine at three months reduces the incidence of chronic allograft nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Conversion from cyclosporine to azathioprine after renal transplantation has been shown to be beneficial in terms of allograft function, cardiovascular risk factor profile, and the incidence of gout. A higher incidence of acute rejection, however, has also been reported and uncertainty still exists about the long-term outcome after conversion. We report on the extended follow-up of an open-label, randomized trial that examined conversion to azathioprine as early as three months after transplantation. METHODS: One hundred twenty-eight patients were enrolled in this single-center study. Three months after transplantation they were randomly assigned to continue cyclosporine treatment (N = 68), or they were converted to azathioprine (N = 60). The steroid dose was temporarily increased in the patients who were converted. RESULTS: Patient survival was not different in the two groups. Graft survival tended to be lower (64.7% vs. 76.5% at 15 years) in the cyclosporine continuation group (P = 0.14) when data were analyzed on an intention to treat basis. The graft survival of the patients that stayed on their assigned treatment was significantly higher in the azathioprine arm, starting at two years' post-transplantation. The glomerular filtration rate was significantly higher in the patients who were converted to azathioprine. More allograft biopsies were taken from patients remaining on cyclosporine for suspicion of cyclosporine-related nephrotoxicity and prompted a high rate of late conversions (19%). The relative risk of chronic allograft nephropathy was significantly higher in the group that continued cyclosporine [relative risk, 4.3 (95% CI, 1.4 to 12.9); P = 0.009]. Conversion to azathioprine reduced the need of blood pressure and lipid-lowering drugs. CONCLUSION: Conversion to a calcineurin inhibitor-free immunosuppressive regiment three months after renal transplantation improved allograft function, reduced the need of cardiovascular risk factor-controlling medication, and reduced the incidence of chronic allograft nephropathy.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

Persistent hyperlipidemia in renal transplant patients.

The exact nature and significance of posttransplant hyperlipidemia is controversial. In the present study, serum lipids were examined in 201 clinically stable renal transplant recipients before, 1 year after, and at the time of the last follow-up, 5.0 +/- 0.1 yr after transplantation. Hypertriglyceridemia, present in 36% of patients treated with dialysis before transplantation, occurred in 23% 1 year after successful transplantation. At last follow-up, 29% had elevated triglyceride levels. Hypercholesterolemia, present in only 8% of patients before transplantation, was found in 27% 1 year after receiving a renal allograft. At the time of last follow-up, 30% had elevated cholesterol levels. HDL cholesterol levels were normal 1 year after transplantation, and increased significantly during the posttransplant follow-up period. Multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis was used to determine factors independently associated with serum lipid levels. Age, body weight, pretransplant serum lipids, and variables linked to allograft function (urine protein excretion, serum creatinine, and the use of loop diuretics) were independently associated with posttransplant cholesterol and triglycerides. Diabetes, the use of alternate day steroids, beta-adrenergic-blocking antihypertensive medications, and thiazide diuretics were not linked to hyperlipidemia. In addition, changes in variables associated with renal function helped to explain why different factors were associated with lipid levels at 1 year than at the time of last follow-up. Thus, the results of this study suggest that hyperlipidemia is a frequent and persistent complication in clinically stable renal transplant recipients. Multiple factors, including several associated with declining allograft function, appear to be involved in the pathogenesis of posttransplant hyperlipidemia.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Pre-transplant risk factors for renal allograft dysfunction at one year in Indian patients.

BACKGROUND: Only a few patients with end-stage renal disease in the Indian subcontinent receive optimal treatment. Of these only a minority can afford a second renal transplant. Awareness of modifiable pre-transplant risk factors that influence allograft function is crucial before embarking on the first transplant. There are no reports from the Asian subcontinent describing the pre-transplant risk factors. METHODS: We studied the effect of donor age, gender, and relation with the recipient, patient age, gender, HLA matching, native kidney disease and immunosuppression on one-year allograft function using data from 1177 consecutive primary living related donor renal transplants at the Christian Medical College Hospital, Vellore. We performed a univariate followed by a multivariate analysis using a logistic regression model to calculate the odds ratio for the effect of the above factors on two levels of graft function (serum creatinine > 1.4 mg/dl and > 2 mg/dl) at one year. RESULTS: On univariate analysis, older donors, women donors, mother being the donor, men recipients, < 1 HLA antigen match, cyclosporine-based immunosuppression and patient age between 16 and 40 years were associated with serum creatinine levels > 1.4 mg/dl at one year. Multivariate analysis showed that donor-related factors, namely mother as donor, older donors, and a < or = 1 HLA antigen match, were risk factors for graft dysfunction (serum creatinine level > 1.4 mg/dl) at one year. Recipient-related risk factors were male patients and those between the age of 16 and 40 years. CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing living related donor renal transplants from large extended families, a younger haplomatched donor, for instance, a brother, is a better choice than an older haplomatched donor, for instance, the mother, particularly in young male recipients at a higher risk of renal dysfunction.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Primary nonfunction. Is there a contribution from the back table bath?

A persistent problem in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is primary nonfunction (PNF) of the hepatic allograft. In most instances the cause of the failure is unknown. In an attempt to minimize these graft failure, modifications in the procurement and operative procedure have been investigated. One change in the procedure at the University of Nebraska Medical Center has been the monitoring of the temperature of the fluid in the back table bath during preparation of the donor liver. Our initial procedure involved creating an ice slurry of lactated Ringer's solution and ice slush in which the donor liver was then prepared. The temperature of this ice slurry was retrospectively found to be from -3 degrees C to -1 degrees C (group I). In this group there was a higher-than-expected incidence of PNF. To investigate whether the temperature of the back table bath influenced the incidence of PNF, beginning with transplant No. 42 the preparation of the back table bath was modified. The bath was created by adding a small amount of PlasmaLyte slush to 2 L of PlasmaLyte (group II). The temperature of the bath was maintained at 2-4 degrees C. Data were collected on 100 consecutive liver transplants. All transplants were performed using standard techniques, the operation for the two groups differing only as described above. Transaminase levels were followed as an index of the allograft function and were expected to begin to normalize within 2-3 days after transplantation. While both groups display this trend, transaminase levels in group II were significantly lower postoperatively than group I levels (P less than 0.05). Preoperative values were similar. There were 7 PNFs in group I; 0 in group II (P less than 0.005). We feel that the change in the back table procedure has positively influenced the function of the hepatic allografts, and we conclude that transplant centers need to monitor the temperature at which all allografts are stored and prepared, and the cognizant that this may influence the postoperative function of the transplanted liver.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Digoxin-like immunoreactive substance in renal transplant patients.

Digoxin-like immunoreactive substance (DLIS) has been detected in several patient populations that were not receiving digoxin, including those patients with end-stage renal disease. The structure and physiologic significance of this compound are unknown, and the fate of DLIS after renal transplantation has not been studied. The authors prospectively evaluated 163 patients (not receiving digoxin) before and after transplantation for the presence of DLIS. Three different assays were used: radioimmunoassay (RIA), affinity mediated immunoassay (ACA), and fluorescence polarization immunoassay (TDX I). Depending on the assay method used, 11% (RIA), 6% (ACA), and 9% (TDX) of patients had detectable DLIS pretransplant. Using all 3 assays, a total of 34 patients (21%) were found to have DLIS. The mean serum digoxin concentration was 0.41 +/- 0.13 ng/mL (range: 0.2-1.2 ng/mL) and DLIS was detectable by greater than 1 assay method in seven patients. DLIS persisted longer in patients who had delayed allograft function (13.7 +/- 7 days) than in those who did not (3 +/- 1.9 days), P less than .05. In summary, detection of DLIS in renal transplant recipients appears to be an infrequent occurrence when using a single digoxin assay method. When detected, the concentration of DLIS is often below the usual therapeutic range for digoxin and disappears once allograft function is established. The authors conclude that the presence of DLIS is unlikely to be clinically significant in the renal transplant population.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Must living renal donors be hospitalized overnight prior to surgery?

To determine whether preoperative intravenous hydration was an important determinant of perioperative safety for the kidney donor or of early allograft function, 21 consecutive living donor transplants were assessed retrospectively. Donors hospitalized overnight received 1008 +/- 169 mL of intravenous fluid during the 8 h prior to operation, compared to no preoperative hydration among a cohort of 15 patients. No differences between intraoperative blood pressures, fluid administration, urine output, or time in the operating room were identified between groups. Postoperative allograft function was not compromised by the lack of hydration. We conclude that living kidney donors can safely undergo elective nephrectomy without prior intravenous hydration.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Vascular complications following bladder drained, simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation: the University of Miami experience.

Vascular complications remain a significant nonimmunologic source of pancreas allograft loss. From February 1993 through January 1998, we performed 98 simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantations (SPK) using pancreatic exocrine bladder drainage in patients with type 1 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and end-stage renal disease. They originally received quadruple immunosuppression, and since May 1997 triple immunosuppression protocol (tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and steroids). The patients' mean age was 37 years (range 24-53 years), including 50 women and 48 men with a mean follow-up of 42 months. The overall rate of vascular complications was 6% (5 patients). The vascular complications were as follows: late thrombosis of the Y with persistent pancreas allograft function (n = 1), rupture of a pseudoaneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery (PSMA) with an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) (n = 1), thrombosis of the splenic vein (SV) (n = 3), complete thrombosis of the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) and splenic vein (n = 1). The patient with PSMA underwent surgical correction of the AVF and PSMA with preservation of the allograft pancreas function. The other patient with late thrombosis of the Y-graft required no treatment. All 3 patients with SV thrombosis were systemically heparinized followed by oral anticoagulation. The patient with complete thrombosis required surgical thrombectomy of the SMV and SV followed by heparinization and oral anticoagulation. All 6 patients including the 4 with thrombosis had preservation of the pancreas function. Serial pancreas ultrasound showed resolution and improvement with recanalization of the splenic vein and superior mesenteric vein in those patients with thrombosis. We describe our vascular experience with salvage of the pancreatic allograft function. Surgery seems to be the best treatment option in the case of AVF or complete thrombosis of the allograft. Intravenous heparin followed by oral anticoagultion could be a conservative approach for SV thrombosis.

Adult↗

PubMed2007

Renal tubular acidosis after kidney transplantation--incidence, risk factors and clinical implications.

BACKGROUND: Renal tubular acidosis (RTA) is a non-anion gap metabolic acidosis and is generally mild and asymptomatic in kidney recipients. Although calcineurin inhibitors, suboptimal allograft function, donor age and acute rejection have been associated with RTA, no detailed study has been conducted to investigate the prevalence and clinical implications of RTA in long-term kidney recipients. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 109 patients (74 males, 35 females) for the study [patients with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <30 ml/min/1.73 m(2), unstable allograft function, diarrhoea, and respiratory disease were excluded]. Thirty-six patients (33%) were found to have RTA on the basis of plasma bicarbonate, arterial pH, urine and serum anion gap measurements. RESULTS: Deceased donor transplantation [P = 0.034, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10-13.27], female gender (P = 0.017, 95% CI: 1.23-8.50), and lower GFR (55.8 +/- 19.4 in RTA and 66.1 +/- 15.9 ml/min/1.73 m(2) in non-RTA, P = 0.002, 95% CI: 1.10-13.27) were independent risk factors for RTA. Also, C-reactive protein was found to be higher in the RTA group (2.7 +/- 1.5 vs 2.0 +/- 1.5 mg/dl, P = 0.03), while no difference was noticed in body mass index or serum albumin. Analysis of the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia in patients with RTA and without RTA, respectively, revealed no difference in frequency of osteoporosis (33% vs 31%) or osteopenia (33% vs 47%). CONCLUSION: Although long-term kidney recipients have a relatively high prevalence of RTA, it is usually mild and subclinical. Further studies are needed to clarify long-term effects of RTA in kidney recipients.

Acidosis, Renal Tubular↗

PubMed2003

The effects of donor brain death on renal function and arachidonic acid metabolism in a large animal model of hypothermic preservation injury.

BACKGROUND: Donor brain death (BD) has been implicated as a risk factor for the poor performance of kidneys after transplantation in small but not large animal models. This study determined the effects of donor BD on renal function and lipid mediator metabolism in a large animal model of renal hypothermic preservation injury. METHODS: Adult beagle donors were subjected to explosive BD for 16 hr. After BD, the kidneys were removed, cold stored for 24 hr in cold University of Wisconsin solution, and allotransplanted into recipient dogs for either 4 hr (group 1) or 7 days (group 2). Controls for both groups consisted of kidneys obtained from living donors. Renal allograft function and tissue arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism were determined after reperfusion. RESULTS: Short-term renal function after transplantation was generally unaffected by BD. Renal blood flow decreased after reperfusion but was not altered during the 16-hr BD period. Neutrophil infiltration significantly increased in kidneys from brain-dead donors before storage and after 4 hr of reperfusion. Renal cortex and medulla AA metabolism were not significantly affected by BD after short-term reperfusion except when thiol-ether leukotrienes (LTC(4)/D(4)/E(4)) were increased with BD. Serum creatinine was elevated during 7 days, but, surprisingly, BD significantly attenuated this injury. CONCLUSION: BD in large mammals does not significantly affect renal allograft function or AA metabolism after transplantation. The role of BD in human renal preservation injury and inflammation should be reevaluated.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Long-term results and complications in renal transplant recipients. Observations in the second decade.

In this study, we analyzed the incidence of complications and clinical results of 57 patients who received kidney transplants at our institution and survived with a functioning allograft for 10 years or longer. All patients received their care at our center and their clinical and laboratory data were monitored routinely at minimum monthly intervals. In this second decade, during a mean follow-up of 2.8 +/- 2.2 years (range 0.4-7.8 years), 7 patients suffered graft loss (chronic rejection 6; irreversible acute tubular necrosis from aminoglycosides 1) and 7 others died with a functioning allograft (causes: hepatic failure 2, sepsis 2, malignancy 2, and cardiac infarction 1). The cumulative patient survival was 96% at 11 years and 85% at 15 years. The corresponding graft survival rate was 92% at 11 years and 71% at 15 years. Of the 43 patients currently followed, 38 are fully rehabilitated, 4 are partially rehabilitated, and 1 is medically disabled. The complications observed were: infection in 25 patients (44%), hypertension in 24 (42%), hyperlipidemia in 23 (40%), liver disease, 22 (39%) musculoskeletal problems in 21 (37%), cataracts in 19 (33%), rejection in 15 (26%), malignancy in 9 (16%), vascular occlusive disease in 9 (16%), gastrointestinal disorders in 9 (16%), and other problems not included in the above categories in 26 (46%). Our observations suggest that renal transplant recipients experience significant morbidity and mortality even in the second decade. Continued medical follow-up is therefore essential for an early diagnosis and management of these late complications. Measures directed at prevention and therapy of these late complications may further enhance the long-term success rate of renal transplantation.

Bone Diseases↗

PubMed2003

The absence of chronic rejection in pediatric primary liver transplant patients who are maintained on tacrolimus-based immunosuppression: a long-term analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although the outcome of liver transplantation has improved significantly during the past two decades, graft loss caused by chronic rejection after liver transplantation still occurs in 2% to 20% of recipients. The overall incidence of chronic rejection is also reported to be low in adult recipients, and risk factors have been identified. Chronic rejection is associated with the inability to maintain baseline immunosuppression. Additionally, the diagnoses of primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, autoimmune hepatitis, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus, common indications for liver transplantation in adults, are associated with a higher incidence of chronic rejection. Fortunately, these diagnoses are rarely seen in children. Little is known about chronic rejection in long-term pediatric liver transplant survivors. The purpose of this longitudinal study was to examine the incidence of biopsy-proven chronic rejection in long-term survivors of primary pediatric liver transplantation under tacrolimus-based immunosuppression. METHODS: From October 1989 to December 1992, 166 children (boys=95, girls=71; mean age=5.0+/-2.9 years) received a primary liver transplant. These patients were followed until March 2000 with a mean follow-up of 9+/-0.8 (range, 7.4-10.4) years. All liver biopsy specimens and explanted grafts were evaluated for evidence of chronic rejection using the International Banff Criteria. RESULTS: The mortality rate during the follow-up period was 15% (n=25). Retransplantation was required in 11% (n=18) of recipients. Actuarial patient and graft survival rates at 10 years were 84.9% and 80.1%, respectively. There were 535 liver biopsy samples available for evaluation, including the 18 explanted allografts. Biopsy specimens of three other functioning allografts showed evidence of chronic rejection. Immunosuppression had been discontinued or drastically reduced in these recipients because of life-threatening infections, noncompliance, or both. On restoring baseline immunosuppression, all three children had normalized liver function and the allografts were maintained; the liver transplant patients who are alive currently have normal liver functions. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that chronic rejection does not occur in pediatric liver transplant recipients receiving tacrolimus-based immunosuppression, provided baseline immunosuppression is maintained.

Biopsy↗

PubMed2001

Are concerns over right laparoscopic donor nephrectomy unwarranted?

OBJECTIVE: To examine the ability of several large, experienced transplantation centers to perform right-sided laparoscopic donor nephrectomy safely with equivalent long-term renal allograft function. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Early reports noted a higher incidence of renal vein thrombosis and eventual graft loss. However, exclusion of right-sided donors would deprive a significant proportion of donors a laparoscopically harvested graft. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed among 97 patients from seven centers performing right-sided laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. Surgical and postoperative demographic factors were evaluated. Complications were identified and long-term renal allograft function was compared with historical left-sided laparoscopic donor nephrectomy cohorts. RESULTS: Right laparoscopic donor nephrectomy was performed for varying reasons, including multiple left renal arteries or veins, smaller right kidney, or cystic right renal mass. Mean surgical time was 235.0 +/- 66.7 minutes, with a mean blood loss of 139 +/- 165.8 mL. Conversion was required in three patients secondary to bleeding or anatomical anomalies. Mean warm ischemic time was limited at 238 +/- 112 seconds. Return to diet was achieved on average after 7.5 +/- 2.3 hours, with mean discharge at 54.6 +/- 22.8 hours. Two grafts were lost during the early experience of these centers to renal vein thrombosis. Both surgical and postoperative complications were limited, with few long-term adverse effects. Mean serum creatinine levels were higher than open and left laparoscopic donor nephrectomy on postoperative day 1, but at all remaining intervals the right laparoscopic donors had equivalent creatinine values. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm that right laparoscopic donor nephrectomy provides similar patient benefits, including early return to diet and discharge. Long-term creatinine values were no higher than in traditional open donor or left laparoscopic donor cohorts. These results establish that early concerns about high thrombosis rates are not supported by a multiinstitutional review of laparoscopic right donor nephrectomies.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Comparing methods for monitoring serum creatinine to predict late renal allograft failure.

Few studies have systematically investigated what changes in chronic renal allograft function best predict subsequent graft failure, when these changes occur, and whether they occur soon enough to allow possible intervention. We collected serum creatinine values (mean, 183 +/- 75 values/patient) measured over a maximum follow-up of 22 years in 101 consecutive renal transplant recipients (excluding creatinine levels from periods of acute rejection). We determined the dates of first decline in inverse creatinine (Delta1/Cr; < -20%, -30%, -40%, -50%, and -70%), declines in estimated creatinine clearance (CCr; <55, 45, 35, 25, and 15 mL/min), and declines in measured slope of 1/Cr over time. We used time-dependent covariates in Cox proportional hazards analyses to determine the relative effect of each renal function parameter on outcomes while adjusting for other risk factors. The best predictor of subsequent graft failure was Delta1/Cr. Delta1/Cr less than -40% first occurred at a median of 1.28 years after transplantation in 73 patients, and 67 patients went on to have graft failure a median of 3.28 years after Delta1/Cr less than -40%. The independent relative risk for graft failure attributable to Delta1/Cr less than -40% was 5.91 (95% confidence interval, 3.25 to 10.8; P < 0.0001). A decline in CCr, eg, less than 45 mL/min, also was a strong predictor of subsequent graft failure. Conversely, declines in allograft function estimated from slopes of 1/Cr were poor predictors of graft failure. In analysis limited to patients followed up for 2.5 years or less, Delta1/Cr continued to predict graft failure, suggesting that Delta1/Cr will be a useful predictor in populations with shorter follow-up. If confirmed in other populations, eg, patients treated with calcineurin inhibitors, this simple marker of chronic allograft dysfunction may prove to be a practical tool for defining patients at high risk for late graft failure.

Adolescent↗