Improvement of polyuria, bladder sensation and bladder capacity following renal transplantation

Here, we report a patient with renal failure and bladder dysfunction whose symptoms improved following renal transplantation. A 23-year-old woman underwent renal transplantation for renal failure as a result of dysplastic kidneys. Urodynamic evaluation prior to transplantation showed decreased bladder sensation and increased bladder capacity, probably because of congenital polyuria. One week after surgery, dry mouth disappeared, and urine volume normalized gradually. Urodynamic studies performed 3 and 10 months after transplantation showed improvement of bladder function, and the frequency/volume charts of urination also showed normalization of urine volume. Renal and bladder functions were almost normal 45 months after transplantation. Bladder dysfunction involves numerous factors, but the primary cause was probably congenital polyuria in the present case. This case suggested that blood purification and correction of urine volume by renal transplantation might lead to restoration of normal bladder function.     

Scrotal Herniation of the Ureter: A Rare Late Complication After Renal Transplantation

Although late ureteral obstruction represents the most frequent urologic complication after renal transplantation, its etiology remains poorly understood. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common cause of urinary tract obstruction in the adult male population, but information regarding BPH epidemiology and its impact on clinical outcomes are lacking. We herein have described a case of ureteral herniation into the scrotum, secondary to concomitant upper and lower urinary tract obstruction: namely, BPH and ureterovesical junction stenosis causing massive urine retention and acute renal failure. The simultaneous presence of the 2 lesions rendered the diagnosis difficult. In addition, urine outflow responsible for bladder outlet obstruction resumed after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). The hydroureteronephrosis, which persisted after the TURP resolved only after positioning a double J stent, but renal function did not normalize. Attention must be paid to BPH in the differential diagnosis of urinary tract obstruction. Stenosis of the ureterovesical junction may occur very late after transplantation.     

Pyocystis in a renal transplant recipient with a defunctionalized bladder

Fever occurred in a man 6 weeks after renal transplantation. At the time of transplantation, the donor ureter had been anastomosed to a ureteroileal conduit created 6 years previously because of traumatic neurogenic bladder. Initial evaluation failed to reveal the cause of the fever, but ultimately, drainage of the defunctionalized bladder yielded a large amount of pus infected with Klebsiella pneumoniae. Our patient's course suggests that, when fever develops after renal transplantation in patients with previous urinary diversion, pyocystis should be included in the differential diagnosis.     

Renal Transplantation in Patients With “Valve Bladder”: Is Bladder Augmentation Necessary?

Introduction

Posterior urethral valve is a common cause of renal failure in children. This disorder often results in small bladder and low compliance, which frequently requires bladder augmentation. Herein, we report our experience in 5 children with “valve bladder” who underwent renal transplantation without preliminary bladder enlargement.

Materials and Methods

Thirteen children with valve bladder undergoing renal transplantation were considered candidates for bladder augmentation. All had oligoanuria at transplantation. In 8 children, bladder augmentation was performed before renal transplantation; in the remaining 5, the decision was postponed until after transplantation. These children underwent transplantation with a ureteral reimplant, and a suprapubic catheter was in place for 2 months. Periodically, renal function, bladder capacity, and compliance were assessed, and renal ultrasonography was performed.

Results

At 1-, 2-, 4-, and 6-month follow-up, the 5 children who did not undergo bladder augmentation demonstrated normal renal function, with improved bladder capacity and absence of hydronephrosis. No significant difference was evident between the 2 groups (augmented vs nonaugmented) insofar as renal function, bladder capacity, or hydronephrosis. After transplantation, bladder augmentation was not deemed necessary in any of the 5 children because of complete restoration of clinical and urodynamic parameters.

Conclusion

Renal transplantation can be performed safely without preemptive bladder augmentation. Ureteral reimplantation is recommended, even in patients with small valve bladders. The decision about the need for bladder augmentation should be made only after normal diuresis is restored.     

Problems concerning the bladder in renal transplantation. Prognosis--replacement possibilities.

Problems arising from the lower urinary tract in patients with a terminal renal insufficiency are usually known long before transplantation; they can even be the cause of chronic renal failure. A careful investigation of morphology and function of upper and lower urinary tract before performing renal transplantation is still of great importance. In up to a quarter of the cases pathological findings can be recorded. Whether a supravesical urinary diversion or a bladder augmentation has to be performed in case of insufficient bladder function is dependent on the urodynamic results. However, so far there are no reliable prognostic factors indicating whether or not a bladder with increased capacity due to renal transplantation reacts with normal pressure. An investigation of the lower urinary tract also has to be carried out in patients who already have a supravesical urinary derivation at the time of renal transplantation, as a possible removal always has to be taken into consideration. Survival rate following transplantation in patients with a conduit is not lower than in those with a normal bladder.     

Urinary tract infections and bladder dysfunction after renal transplantation in children

PURPOSE: Urinary tract infection remains a major cause of morbidity in pediatric renal transplant recipients. In otherwise healthy children bladder dysfunction increases the susceptibility to urinary tract infection. The aims of this study were to determine whether bladder dysfunction affects the incidence of urinary tract infection after renal transplantation, and to assess the impact of recurrent urinary tract infections on graft function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated bladder function with a questionnaire, uroflowmetry and bladder ultrasound, and renal function with clearance of inulin or iohexol (glomerular filtration rate) in 68 recipients of renal transplants 5 to 20 years old, at 1 to 15 years after transplantation, with and without recurrent urinary tract infections. RESULTS: Bladder dysfunction was equally common in children with and without recurrent urinary tract infections (68% vs 74%, not significant). Therefore, it had no effect on the incidence of recurrent urinary tract infections. Graft function deteriorated at a faster rate in patients with recurrent urinary tract infections than in those without (mean glomerular filtration rate 45 vs 57 ml per minute per 1.73 m(2) at 4 years after transplantation, p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Bladder dysfunction did not predispose patients to recurrent urinary tract infections. Graft function declined with time in all patients but the rate of deterioration was faster in the group with recurrent urinary tract infections.     

Renal Transplantation into Augmented Bladders

Background: Urinary bladder augmentation is gaining popularity for the treatment of dysfunctional bladders in renal transplant patients. Although reported cases of adult and pediatric transplants into the augmented bladder have been favorable, the potential risk of urinary tract infection and graft failure under immunosuppression is still disputable. We report our experiences with 4 patients who underwent renal transplantation into an augmented bladder.
Methods: Between 1971 and 1996, 1275 renal transplants were performed at our institution. Of these transplants, 4 patients underwent renal transplantation into an augmented urinary bladder. Augmentation cystoplasty was performed before transplantation in 3 patients and 7 years after transplantation in the other patient. The bladder was augmented with an ileal segment in 3 patients and a ureter in the fourth patient. Craft function was assessed by the serum creatinine level. Fluorocystometrograms were performed in all patients at fixed intervals.
Results: Posttransplant renal function was satisfactory overall and no patient exhibited proteinuria. All patients except 1 acquired a large capacity low pressure bladder and remained continent with clean intermittent catheterization. One patient who underwent ureterocystoplasty is still incontinent because of his relatively small bladder capacity. Posttransplant pyelonephritis was documented in 3 patients during the follow-up period, but no other complications were observed.
Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that renal transplantation into extensively reconstructed bladders can be safely performed with good success. Although urinary tract infection is a major consideration, we recommend pretransplant reconstruction not only to preserve graft function, but also to achieve urinary continence.     

Perineal hernias after proctectomy. A new approach to repair

Perineal herniation of pelvic organs rarely occurs after abdominoperineal resection of the rectum, but it does present a difficult surgical dilemma. The case of a patient with perineal herniation of the small bowel and urinary bladder into a proctectomy wound has been described. This was repaired using a transabdominal pelvic sling with Marlex followed by gracilis muscle transplantation. Review of the literature yielded 18 previous case reports of perineal hernia after proctectomy, and the results of various surgical approaches have been detailed and discussed. The technique of gracilis muscle transplantation offers a definite advantage when the hernia occurs in a contaminated perineal wound.     

Bladder dysfunction in children and adolescents after renal transplantation

The underlying mechanisms of urinary-tract infections (UTI) in renal transplant recipients are still not fully understood. In otherwise healthy children, bladder dysfunction increases the susceptibility to UTI. The aim of this study was to evaluate lower-urinary-tract function in children and adolescents after renal transplantation. Sixty-eight recipients of renal transplants, 5–20 years of age and 1–15 years after transplantation, were evaluated for their bladder function with a questionnaire, uroflowmetry and bladder ultrasound, and for renal function (glomerular filtration rate) by measuring clearance of inulin or iohexol. Forty-nine patients (72%) had some type of abnormality of bladder function. Abnormal bladder capacity was found in 26%, abnormal urinary flow in 50% and residual urine in 32% of the patients. There was no significant difference in bladder or renal function in children with urinary-tract malformations compared with those with normal urinary tract. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in renal function in patients with bladder dysfunction compared with those without. The incidence of bladder dysfunction is high in children and adolescents after renal transplantation, but the clinical significance of this finding and whether there is a correlation between bladder dysfunction and UTI in these patients need to be clarified further.     

Inguinal Herniation Containing Bladder,Causing Contralateral Allograft Hydroureteronephrosis—A Case Report and Literature Review

We report the first documented case of an inguinal hernia containing bladder, resulting in contralateral allograft hydroureteronephrosis. A 39‐year‐old male patient presented with allograft dysfunction, a contralateral inguinoscrotal hernia, and marked hydroureteronephrosis on ultrasound (US). Percutaneous nephrostogram and a retrograde cystogram suggested bladder herniation with incorporation of the contralateral ureteroneocystostomy into the hernia. Paraperitoneal bladder herniation was confirmed at surgery and hernioplasty was performed. Six‐week follow‐up revealed normal renal function with no sign of hernia recurrence. Despite occurring rarely, transplant ureter or bladder herniation should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hydroureteronephrosis. This case illustrates that the contralateral position of hernia to allograft does not necessarily preclude the hernia as the source of ureteric obstruction.     

Ileocecocystoplasty bladder augmentation and renal transplantation

In 4 patients with a small contracted bladder and end stage renal failure ileocecocystoplasty bladder augmentation was done in conjunction with renal transplantation. All 4 patients have stable renal and bladder function 13 to 46 months after transplantation. In carefully selected patients bladder augmentation may be an alternative to urinary diversion.     

Clam ileoplasty bladder augmentation and renal transplantation

In our patient, with a small contacted bladder and end stage renal failure, bladder augmentation (clam ileocystoplasty) was done in conjunction with renal transplantation. Our patient has stable renal and bladder function 46 months after kidney transplantation.     

Urodynamic studies in prune belly syndrome. A case report.

Urodynamic studies were carried out in a 14-year-old boy with Prune Belly Syndrome and terminal renal failure prior and after successful renal transplantation. Increased bladder capacity, nonprovocative detrusor instability and a high compliance were the most characteristic findings during the filling phase of the bladder. During the voiding phase an increased detrusor pressure was demonstrated. Outflow resistance and maximum urinary flow rate were within normal range before and after transplantation. In contrast to the findings before renal transplantation, however, micturition was imbalanced after transplantation (residual urine 100 ml). Urodynamics revealed that the bulging of the posterior urethra, observed in the early voiding phase, was due to a congenital insufficiency of the posterior urethral musculature (megalourethra) and not caused by mechanical obstruction leading to urethral dilatation. It is suggested that detrusor-bladder-neck-dyssynergia is the primary cause of the imbalanced micturition and its consequences (bladder distention, reflux, urinary tract infection, hydronephrosis, pyelonephritis) in patients with Prune Belly Syndrome. The findings of a normal, respectively increased detrusor activity are in contrast to the observations of some authors, describing attenutation and absence of detrusor muscle fibres. The indications and effects of transurethral resection and internal urethrotomy, proposed by some authors, are discussed.     

Intestinal reconstruction of the lower urinary tract as a prerequisite for renal transplantation

OBJECTIVE

To report a two‐stage protocol for children in whom bladder reconstruction was followed by kidney transplantation, as about a quarter of children requiring a kidney transplantation show significant lower urinary tract dysfunction, and consequently their bladder is unsuitable for a kidney transplant.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twelve children (median age 9.5 years, range 4.2–16.8) with end‐stage renal disease had a lower urinary tract reconstruction before kidney transplantation. The cause of bladder dysfunction and renal failure included posterior urethral valves in five, neuropathic bladder in two, prune‐belly syndrome in two, anal‐rectum and urethral atresia syndrome in one, primary obstructive uropathy in one and caudal regression syndrome in one. Two children were diverted with an ileal conduit; four had a bladder augmentation, and four had a bladder augmentation with additional continent cutaneous stoma. A continent urinary reservoir was constructed in one boy, and one boy had a Mitrofanoff‐only procedure. Subsequently, 11 children were transplanted.

RESULTS

The graft survival rate was 11 of 12 at 1 year and eight of 12 at 5 years. No patient lost the graft related to the reconstructed lower urinary tract. During the median (range) follow‐up of 5.4 (1.6–12.5) years all but one child had free drainage of the upper urinary tract. All 10 children who did not have an ileal conduit are continent.

CONCLUSION

Reconstruction of the lower urinary tract followed by renal transplantation is a safe and efficient approach. It has the advantage of restoring the lower urinary tract before immunosuppressive therapy, and supplies the best possible reservoir for a transplanted kidney.     

Renal transplantation in end stage renal disease patients with existing urinary diversion

From 1971 to 1984 renal transplantation was performed in 20 patients with end stage renal disease who presented with an existing form of urinary diversion. These patients were evaluated with a cystometrogram, voiding cystourethrogram and cystoscopy. In some cases bladder function was studied further by cycling through a suprapubically placed catheter. The bladder was considered unstable in 13 patients and undiversion was done at transplantation. The period of prior diversion ranged from 3 to 20 years (mean 12.7 years). There were no surgical complications postoperatively and normal bladder function returned in all patients. Currently, 8 patients have a functioning renal allograft 16 months to 9 years after transplantation (mean 4.2 years). Seven patients were considered to have a nonusable bladder owing to severe neurogenic disease or refractory contracture. In these patients transplantation was done into a pre-fashioned intestinal conduit (5) or cutaneous ureterostomy (2). Currently, 4 patients have a functioning renal allograft 16 months to 6.2 years after transplantation (mean 3.8 years). Transplantation candidates who present with an existing form of urinary diversion should be evaluated carefully, since many will have a usable bladder. Regardless of whether the bladder is usable, transplantation can be performed safely with no increased surgical or immunological risk.     

Renal transplantation in patients with a small bladder

BACKGROUND: In patients undergoing kidney transplantation with a small bladder, many surgeons are faced with technical difficulties about the implantation as well as about satisfactory bladder rehabilitation. The objective of this study was to clarify the clinical outcomes of patients with end-stage renal disease who had a bladder capacity of less than 100 mL on preoperative voiding cystourethrogram after renal transplantation using extravesical ureteroneocystostomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 345 patients with end-stage renal disease who underwent renal transplantation between April 2002 and June 2006. These patients were classified into two groups according to their preoperatively estimated bladder capacity using a voiding cystourethrogram. Group A had a bladder capacity of less than 100 mL (n = 23; 6.7%) and group B had a capacity of 100 mL or more (n = 322; 93.3%). For each group, the clinical outcome, including serum creatinine level at 1 month and 1 year after transplantation, bladder capacity, surgical complications, and prevalence of urinary tract infection (UTI) requiring hospital admission were recorded and the graft survival rate calculated. RESULTS: Compared with group B, group A had undergone a longer duration of dialysis and required cadaveric kidney transplantation more frequently (P < .05). Postoperative surgical complications occurred in nine cases. There was no difference in the frequency of surgical complications and UTI requiring hospital admission between group A and group B. At 1 year posttransplant, bladder capacity was 342.0 +/- 43.8 mL (range, 300-400 mL) and 429.1 +/- 75.9 mL (range, 200-500 mL), respectively (P = .015). There was no statistical difference between the groups in the serum creatinine level and the graft survival rate at 5 years after transplantation (100% vs 92.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Similar to patients with a normal bladder size, renal transplantation can be successfully achieved in patients with a small bladder. Attempts to increase the bladder capacity by programmed training of the bladder and bladder expansion by surgical intervention seem unnecessary.     

Combined Kidney and Vascularized Total Bladder Transplantation: Experience in an Animal Model

Background

Few reports have described a partial bladder graft with an en bloc kidney transplantation, mainly to facilitate reconstruction of the urinary tract, but also to augment the native bladder. The present study assessed the feasibility to graft vascularized total bladder in association with a renal transplantation.

Methods

The right kidney, in continuity with the ureter and the entire bladder, was retrieved from three female pigs weighing 20 g. The visceral bloc was transplanted to three recipient pigs of the same weight. The entire bladder was transplanted with its vascular connection to ensure a better blood supply. After 3 days of observation, one recipient was humanely killed to examine the bladder graft. Oxygen saturation in the bladder graft monitored for 8 hours was compared with the native bladder in the other two recipients. All three bladder grafts were examined by a pathologist.

Results

All bladder grafts seemed to be macroscopically well-perfused upon removal of the vascular clamps. In case 1, the recipient was clinically well with good urinary output over the first 2 days of observation; is contrast, on day 3 the animal displayed an acute reduced urinary output. Laparotomy on day 3 of observation showed recent thrombosis of the bladder and renal graft vessels. In cases 2 and 3, oxygen saturations of the bladder graft were normal during the 8-hour observation period, without any difference between the graft and the native bladder.

Conclusions

According to our results, vascularized total bladder transplantation is feasible. In combination with renal transplantation, it could be applied as an alternative to bladder augmentation or total bladder replacement.     

Post-transplant lymphocele: An unusual cause of acute urinary retention mimicking urethral injury

Retroperitoneal pelvic lymphoceles are one of the most common complications following renal transplantation, and usually present with a palpable mass, ipsilateral leg edema, hydronephrosis caused by ureteral obstruction, decreased renal function and cutaneous lymphatic fistula. However, lymphocele rarely causes acute urinary retention. In this study, we describe a case of a patient who developed acute urinary retention after renal transplantation mimicking urethral injury. When a transplanted patient demonstrates the inability to void, one should consider bladder outlet obstruction resulting from lymphocele as a possible cause.     

Renal transplantation into the reconstructed bladder

In our experience with 821 renal transplants performed between 1974 and October 1987 we used the native or reconstructed bladder of the patient in all but 2 instances. Seven patients have undergone enterocystoplasty and subsequent renal transplantation, while 1 underwent bladder augmentation after transplantation. Of these 8 patients 4 have functioning grafts 6 months to 7 years after transplant or reconstruction. Renal transplantation coupled with enterocystoplasty in properly selected patients has acceptable morbidity and should be considered as an alternative to other forms of urinary diversion in allograft recipients.     

Enterocystoplasty and renal transplantation

PURPOSE: We report on our experience with renal transplantation in patients with severe chronic bladder contracture who underwent prior intestinal bladder augmentation, and assess the safety of the procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 7 patients with severe alterations to the lower urinary tract and renal insufficiency underwent enterocystoplasty before renal transplantation. The etiologies of the bladder dysfunction were bladder contraction secondary to urinary tuberculosis in 4 cases, neurogenic bladder secondary to myelomeningocele in 1, chronic cystitis secondary to intravesical instillation of glutaraldehyde in 1 and hyperreflexic, contracted bladder in 1. Mean patient age was 38.4 years (range 19 to 57). The intestinal segment used was ileal conduit in 6 cases and an ileocaecal segment in 1. All 7 patients have received renal transplant from cadaveric donors. RESULTS: Graft survival rate was 100% and graft function was good after a mean followup of 48 months (range 8 to 97). Of the patients 6 are continent and void spontaneously and 1 requires intermittent self-catheterization. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience bladder augmentation is an acceptable method, although not exempt from complications, for patients with alterations to the lower urinary tract and who are candidates for renal transplantation.