Donor-dependent risk factors for early surgical complications after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation

Introduction

The success of simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPK) depends in a large degree on avoidance of surgical complications in the early postoperative period. The aim of the study was to analyze the Pre-procurement Pancreas Allocation Suitability Score (P-PASS) and the deceased donor parameters included within it as risk factors for early surgical complications after SPK.

Material and Methods

Forty-six consecutive donors whose kidney and pancreas were simultaneously transplanted were included in the study.

Results

Donor age was older among recipients who lost their pancreatic grafts: 30.4 ± 6.9 versus 24.1 ± 6.9 years. Donor age was also older among recipients who lost their pancreatic grafts or died compared with those discharged with a functioning graft: 29.3 ± 5.7 versus 24.0 ± 6.9 years. Donor body mass index (BMI) was higher among patients who died compared with those who were discharged: 25.3 ± 1.1 versus 23.2 ± 2.5 kg/m². P-PASS was higher in patients who lost their pancreatic grafts (17.6 ± 2.1 vs 15.2 ± 1.8) or died (15.3 ± 1.9 vs 17.2 ± 1.9), or lost pancreatic graft or died (15.2 ± 1.8 vs 17.0 ± 2.2) or with intra-abdominal infections (IAI; 17.1 ± 1.7 vs 15.0 ± 1.8). The incidence of donors ≥30 years old was higher among recipients with IAI (45.4% vs 14.3%; P = .04). An higher rate of donors with P-PASS >16 was revealed among patients who lost their pancreatic grafts (26.7% vs 3.2%), died (26.7% vs 3.2%), lost the pancreatic graft or died (33.3% vs 6.4%), or experienced IAI (46.7% vs 9.7%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed P-PASS (odds ratio 2.57; P = .014) and serum sodium (odds ration, 0.91; P = .048) to be important predictors of IAI development.

Conclusion

Older age and higher BMI among deceased donors increased the risk of IAI, pancreatic graft loss, or recipient death after SPK. Transplantation of a pancreas from a donor with a low P-PASS score was associated with a lower risk of surgical complications after SPK.