Indication, surgical technique and outcome of orthotopic renal transplantation

PURPOSE: We review the indication, surgical technique and outcome of orthotopic renal transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of 1,000 patients who underwent renal transplantation at our institution between August 24, 1993 and August 1, 2000, as well as orthotopic renal transplantation were reviewed. RESULTS: Orthotopic renal transplantation was performed in 4 males and 1 female with severe iliac atherosclerosis or retained bilateral iliac fossa kidney transplant. Mean patient age was 56 years. There were 2 patients who received kidneys from living related donors, and 3 underwent cadaveric renal transplantation. Left orthotopic renal transplantation was successful in 4 cases, and 1 was converted to iliac fossa renal transplant because of a pulseless splenic artery and renal artery thrombosis after native renal endarterectomy. Orthotopic renal revascularization was done with splenic artery in 2, native renal artery in 2 and left renal vein in all 4 patients. Urinary tract reconstruction was performed with stented (2) or nonstented (2) ureteroureterostomy. Antibody induction, purine antagonists, calcineurin inhibitors and glucocorticoids were used for immunosuppression. Mean preoperative and 1-month postoperative serum creatinine was 7.9 and 1.3 mg./dl., respectively. Patient and graft survival was 100% during followup, which ranged from 6 months to 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the technical challenges, orthotopic renal transplantation in patients with unsuitable pelvic vessels can result in excellent patient and graft survival.     

Pathologic Findings of Renal Biopsy Were a Helpful Diagnostic Clue of Stenosis of the Iliac Segment Proximal to the Transplant Renal Artery: A Case Report

Common iliac artery stenosis after renal transplantation is a rare complication; it can occur in the course of hypertension and renal dysfunction. We report a case of suspected renal allograft rejection with iliac artery stenosis proximal to a transplanted kidney. A 52-year-old man with a history of cadaveric kidney transplantation 26 years previously underwent a second cadaveric kidney transplantation in the left iliac fossa because of graft failure 3 years before. In June 2012, the patient had progressive renal dysfunction. In July, a percutaneous needle biopsy was taken, and it showed no rejection; however, his renal function continued to get worse through September. A percutaneous allograft renal biopsy was performed under ultrasound guidance and showed hyperplasia of the juxtaglomerular apparatus and renin granules. Magnetic resonance angiography was used to evaluate the arteries in the pelvis and showed left common iliac artery stenosis, and a stent was placed. After percutaneous intervention, the patient's ankle brachial pressure index was within the normal range and the allograft function had improved.     

供肾动脉带主动脉袖口预防移植肾动脉狭窄

目的:探讨供肾动脉带主动脉袖口预防移植肾动脉狭窄的效果。方法:对955例(1030例次)行肾移植患者的肾移植供肾动脉,全部采用主动脉袖口与受者髂内动脉吻合。应用彩色多普勒血流B超及移植肾动脉血管造影排除移植肾动脉狭窄。结果:955例(1030例次)肾移植无一例出现移植肾动脉狭窄。结论:供肾动脉带腹主动脉袖口可以防止移植后肾动脉狭窄发生。     

Renal artery reconstruction in transplant kidney

A 30 years old female patient, to whom a cadaveric kidney transplantation was performed 7 years earlier, presented severe hypertension attacks for 2 years. Renal artery stenosis diagnosed by angiography, PTA could not be performed. She underwent an operation for surgical correction of stenosis and successful internal iliac renal artery anastomosis performed by saphenous vein interposition. The patient was discharged at the fourteenth postoperative day with excellent kidney function and stable blood pressure.     

Fibromuscular dysplasia associated with simultaneous spontaneous dissection of four peripheral arteries in a 30-year-old man

A 30-year-old man had a sudden bout of severe abdominal pain. An enhanced computed tomographic scan revealed dissections of the celiac artery, superior mesenteric artery, left renal artery, and right external iliac artery; stenosis of the right renal artery; and left kidney infarction. After careful evaluation, the patient was diagnosed with fibromuscular dysplasia (medial dysplasia), based on the findings obtained from the enhanced computed tomographic scan. This case is extremely rare because fibromuscular dysplasia occurred concurrently with simultaneous spontaneous dissections of four peripheral arteries in a young man.     

Endovascular interventions for managing vascular complication of renal transplantation

Renal transplantation is a well-established treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease. Although the procedure is commonly undertaken with a high rate of initial technical success, a low but significant risk of vascular complications can develop and ultimately threaten the transplanted kidney. Complications include transplant renal artery stenosis, extraparenchymal and intraparenchymal pseudoaneurysm and arteriovenous fistula formation, and stenosis of native iliac arteries due to aortoiliac occlusive disease. Historically, open surgical correction of these complications has been associated with high morbidity and the risk of graft loss. Endovascular approaches are better tolerated by renal transplantation patients and are used increasingly for management of vascular complications associated with kidney transplantation. We review the contemporary diagnosis and treatment of these complications using endovascular techniques.     

A Case Report of Successful Kidney Transplantation in a Patient With Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease Who Underwent Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Type B Aortic Dissection

BackgroundAutosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is associated with several cardiovascular disorders, including aortic dissection, which preferentially occurs at the thoracic or abdominal level. Because there are few case reports describing surgical repair for aortic dissection followed by renal transplantation in patients with ADPKD, kidney transplantation performed after repair for aortic dissection remains challenging.Case presentationA 34-year-old Japanese man with end-stage renal disease secondary to ADPKD underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair for complicated acute type B aortic dissection 12 months earlier. A contrast computed tomography scan before transplantation revealed an aortic dissection involving the descending aorta proximal to the common iliac arteries and confirmed multiple large bilateral renal cysts. After simultaneous right native nephrectomy, the patient underwent preemptive living-donor kidney transplantation obtained from his mother. Intraoperatively, we noted that dissection of the external iliac vessels was difficult because of dense adhesions. Arterial clamping was performed immediately below the bifurcation of the internal iliac artery to prevent further aortic dissection of the external iliac artery. After end-to-end anastomosis to the internal iliac artery was completed and the vascular clamp was released, the kidney began to produce urine immediately.ConclusionThis case suggests that kidney transplantation in patients undergoing endovascular aortic repair for aortic dissection can be performed by adequately applying a vascular clamp proximal to the internal iliac artery during vascular anastomosis.     

The Contemporary Role of Extra-anatomical Surgical Renal Revascularization in Patients with Atherosclerotic Renal Aretery Disease

We delineate the current role of extra-anatomical revascularization techniques in the treatment of patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis. There are 2 components to this study. In part 1 all abdominal aortograms performed between 1989 and 1993 were reviewed to document the presence of significant abdominal aortic and visceral arterial atherosclerosis in patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis. A total of 254 patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis was identified. Among 44 patients with severe unilateral disease the incidence of significant abdominal aortic atherosclerosis was 75 percent. The incidence of significant (greater than 50 percent) stenosis of the celiac, right common iliac and left common iliac arteries was 52 percent, 32 percent and 27 percent, respectively. In 129 patients with severe atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis bilaterally or in a solitary kidney the incidence of significant abdominal aortic atherosclerosis was 81 percent, and the incidence of significant (greater than 50 percent) stenosis of the celiac, right common iliac and left common iliac arteries was 59 percent, 57 percent and 59 percent, respectively. These data indicate that hepatorenal, splenorenal and iliorenal bypass cannot be performed in many patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis due to significant disease involving the donor vessels for these operations.

In part 2, all patients undergoing surgical renal revascularization with an extra-anatomical bypass operation between 1980 and 1992 were reviewed. A total of 175 operations was done in 171 patients, including hepatorenal bypass in 59, splenorenal bypass in 54, iliorenal bypass in 37, thoracic aortorenal bypass in 23, renal autotransplantation in 1 and superior mesentero-renal bypass in 1. There were 5 operative deaths (2.9 percent) and 7 cases of postoperative graft thrombosis (4 percent). All patients with poorly controlled hypertension were cured or improved postoperatively. Among patients with ischemic nephropathy, postoperative renal function improved in 35 percent, remained stable in 47 percent and deteriorated in 18 percent. Extra-anatomical techniques remain an important component of the surgical armamentarium for atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis. Thoracic aortorenal bypass is a useful new approach in patients with significant celiac and iliac occlusive disease.     

Renal transplantation in hamsters

Hamsters have never before been used for experimental kidney transplantation. An original anesthetic and microsurgical protocol is presented for renal transplantation in hamsters based on a series of 152 orthotopic renal transplantations. The operation is performed with the animal under general anesthesia of acepromazine and sodium thiopental. A left nephrectomy is followed by left renal orthotopic transplantation. The transplantation is performed in the following order: anastomosis of the renal artery and aorta, anastomosis of the renal vein to the inferior vena cava, and implantation of the ureter in the bladder. The survival rate after contralateral nephrectomy was 71% in 45 female hamsters. Male hamsters should not be used because of a high risk of severe periureteral stenosis caused by fibrosis secondary to necessary dissection of the large seminal vesicles. The prevention of hypothermia in hamsters is mandatory.     

Staged reconstruction for middle aortic syndrome

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Middle aortic syndrome is a rare condition that involves narrowing of the abdominal aorta and its visceral branches. The authors propose staged vascular repair to minimize renal ischemia and facilitate use of native arterial tissue for reconstruction. METHODS: Three adolescents (age 8(1/2), 12(1/2), 13(1/2)) presented with severe hypertension. Subsequent evaluation showed coarctation of the abdominal aorta extending above the celiac axis. All 3 patients had bilateral renal artery stenoses. There also were tight stenoses of the celiac or superior mesenteric arteries. In the first stage the right renal artery stenosis was relieved. In the youngest patient, this was accomplished by balloon angioplasty. However, in the other 2, right renal autotransplantation was performed to the right iliac vessels using end-to-side anastomoses of the renal artery and vein. Cold perfusion was used. The second stage was performed 2 to 5 months later via a thoracoabdominal approach in 2 patients. A Dacron tube graft was utilized from above the coarctation to the iliac bifurcation. The left renal arteries were detached and anastomosed end to side to the bypass graft. In 1 child there were actually 3 separate renal arteries that required reimplantation. In the youngest patient the aortic narrowing was relieved by a long Dacron patch aortoplasty and interposition of an internal iliac artery graft to the left renal artery. RESULTS: All 3 patients recovered well and returned to full activities. There was no measurable rise of BUN or serum creatinine postoperatively. Postoperative renal scans showed good renal perfusion bilaterally. Follow-up results 2 to 10 years later continue to show well functioning reconstructions. CONCLUSION: A staged approach is an effective reconstruction for children with middle aortic syndrome which minimizes risk to renal function.     

亲属活体肾移植供肾多支动脉变异的血管重建

目的多支动脉供肾是亲属活体供肾移植手术的难点，探讨多支动脉供肾手术中的血管重建方法。方法2006年4月-2008年3月，实施亲属活体肾移植77例，其中单支动脉型供肾组63例，多支动脉型供肾组14例。14例多支动脉型供肾，左肾9例，右肾5例，其中2支动脉变异者11例，3支动脉变异者3例。所有供、受者手术前常规行淋巴细胞毒交叉试验、人类白细胞抗原配型等检查。供者取肾手术采取经12肋腰部切口取肾，对多支动脉型右侧供肾，采取在腔静脉后方游离肾动脉。受者植肾手术采取经典的下腹部大L型切口将移植肾置于髂窝内。多支动脉型供肾组移植肾动脉采取分别与髂内动脉和／或髂外动脉吻合。结果多支动脉型供肾组14例供肾者术中均未输血，术后7～9d出院，无任何并发症。随访3个月～1年，肾功能、血压及尿常规完全正常。术后受者均无急性肾小管坏死、肾血管栓塞、肾动脉狭窄、尿瘘、输尿管坏死等并发症，彩色超声检查示移植肾血供均良好。与单支动脉供肾组比较，多支动脉型供肾组受者吻合血管开放后开始泌尿时间、术后第1周的平均血肌酐、平均动脉压、住院时间差异均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论正确处理活体供肾多支动脉是活体肾移植安全的保证。     

Reconstruction of Multiple Renal Arteries During Simultaneous Pancreas and Kidney Transplantation: A Case Report

We present a case of a multiple renal artery reconstruction during simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation. The kidney graft had 6 renal arteries, the aorta patch was 10 cm long, and there were two renal veins. To perform anastomoses to the left external iliac vessels we had to reconstruct the renal arterial and venal patches. The results of the transplantation were very good. Both grafts had satisfactory function, even though a control computed tomography performed a year after transplantation revealed infarction of a lower renal pole. Anatomical anomalies should not be a contraindication for transplantation, although transplants involving a multiplicity of vessels is a challenge for surgeons and requires both knowledge and microsurgical skills.     

Late Ureteral Stenosis After Kidney Transplantation: A Single-Center Experience

In a retrospective study, we analyzed 1419 consecutive kidney transplantation procedures performed at a single center to identify potential predictive factors of ureteral stenosis. Only stenosis observed after the first month posttransplantation was considered. The Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to analyze donor age and serum creatinine concentration before procurement, recipient age, cold ischemia time, delayed graft function, number of renal arteries, and presence of a double-J stent. Follow-up evaluation included number and timing of acute rejection episodes, cytomegalovirus infection, acute pyelonephritis, renal function, and patient death. Ureteral stenosis developed in 45 patients (3.17%), and was correlated with donor age older than 65 years (P = .001), kidneys with more than 2 arteries (P = .009), and delayed graft function (P = .02). The data suggest a potential protective role of donor age, number of renal arteries, and delayed graft function in development of ureteral stenosis after kidney transplantation.     

Predictive Model of Ureteral Obstruction of Allograft Kidney Following Living Donor Kidney Transplantation

BackgroundUreteral obstruction is one of the most frequent urologic complications of kidney transplantation. This study aimed to analyze independent factors that contribute to ureteral obstruction following kidney transplantation and develop predictive models form those factors.MethodsAs many as 545 kidney transplantations were analyzed. Patients underwent transplantation between January 2014 and December 2018. Logistic regression analysis was used to develop the predictive model. Both donor and recipient demographic characteristics and operative parameters were analyzed and presented.ResultsThere were 37 (6.8%) subjects who developed ureteral obstruction. The independent risk factors for ureteral obstruction were multiple allograft renal arteries, older donor ages (>38 years), and older recipient age (>60 years). From the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the area under the ROC curve of the predictive model was 0.843 (P < .001). Subjects with >2 renal allograft arteries, recipient age >60 years, and donor age >38 years had 83.8% probability of developing ureteral stenosis after kidney transplantation.ConclusionDonor age, recipient age, and multiple renal arteries were independent risk factors of graft ureteral obstruction. Probability of developing ureteral obstruction should be considered pre-operatively in our population, using the proposed predictive model.     

再次肾移植对尿毒症患者性功能的影响

目的:探讨再次肾移植对尿毒症患者性功能的影响。方法:对接受2次肾移植和同期双肾移植的30例患者术后的性功能状态进行问卷调查及阴茎血流多普勒超声检查。2次移植选用髂外动脉与供肾动脉吻合者9例(A组);一侧选用髂内动脉另一侧选用髂外动脉吻合者11例(B组);均选用髂内动脉与供肾动脉吻合者10例(C组),其中包括同期行双肾移植的1例患者。结果:术后半年恢复正常性生活者,A组8例;B组7例;C组5例。C组患者的阴茎海绵体动脉收缩期最大血流速度明显低于A及B组。结论:2次肾移植均选用髂内动脉与供肾动脉吻合,对患者的性生活有影响;但通过侧支循环代偿一段时间后,一部分患者仍可有满意的性生活。     

Midpole Ureterocalycostomy for Renal Transplant Salvage: A Pediatric Case Report

Background

Ureteral obstruction is the most common urological complication of kidney transplantation. Obstruction secondary to ureteral stenosis can be an early or late complication.

离体肾动脉瘤修补、肾动脉重建和自体肾移植治疗复杂性孤肾肾动脉瘤一例并文献复习

目的探讨离体肾动脉瘤修补、肾动脉重建和自体肾移植技术治疗复杂性孤肾肾动脉瘤的安全性和可行性。方法CT血管造影（CTA）确诊复杂性孤肾肾动脉瘤1例,病变位于肾动脉主干分叉部,累及节段分支动脉,深入肾门内。肾脏暂时性离体后,在低温和肾脏灌注液灌注保护肾脏的前提下,体外进行肾动脉瘤修补和自体大隐静脉肾动脉重建,然后将肾脏异位移植到右侧髂窝。结果手术成功,围手术期无严重并发症发生。术后血肌酐暂时性升高至约200μmol／L,半个月后逐渐恢复正常;术后2周复查CTA示右髂窝移植肾动脉及其分支血流通畅无狭窄,肾静脉回流通畅,输尿管无狭窄。结论该方法治疗复杂性孤肾肾动脉瘤安全可行,并为以后类似的复杂性肾脏疾病的处理提供了可行方法。     

A Rat Model of Orthotopic Kidney Transplantation Based on Nonanastomotic Technique

BackgroundRenal transplantation is an effective treatment for end-stage renal disease, which involves pathophysiologic processes such as ischemia-reperfusion injury and immune rejection. The degree of ischemia-reperfusion injury is closely related to the functional state of the transplanted kidney. At present, the allogeneic kidney transplantation model has been widely used in related research. The traditional kidney transplantation model has the disadvantages of complicated vascular anastomosis, difficulty in ureteral reconstruction. The aim of this study was to establish a rat autologous orthotopic kidney transplantation model based on non-anastomotic technique.MethodsInbred Wistar rats weighing 260 to 280 g were selected. The rats were anesthetized by intraperitoneal injections of 40 mg/kg body weight pentobarbital sodium. We exposed and freed the left kidney after laparotomy and separated the left renal artery and left renal vein, abdominal aorta, and posterior vena cava. A purse-string suture with a diameter of 1 to 2 mm was made through the tunica media of the abdominal aorta. A puncture was made through the center of the purse-string suture. The in-dwelling needle was placed in the renal artery along the blood flow direction, and was infused with constant flow of 4°C heparinized lactated ringer's solution until the kidney became pale yellow. The renal vein was ligated and the renal artery was clamped. The in-dwelling needle was removed, purse-string suture was ligated, and the kidney was stored in a self-made autologous kidney transplant cold storage bag for 4 hours. We then opened the vein and artery, removed the cold storage bag, and rewarmed with 37°C normal saline. The abdomen was then closed layer by layer.ResultsFifty-two orthotopic renal transplantations were performed, which included pre-experimental (40 operations) and experimental stages (12 operations). The success rates of the 2 stages were 75% and 91.7%, respectively. The main causes of failure were intraoperative hemorrhagic shock and postoperative infection. The operation time of orthotopic renal transplantation was 360 ± 30 minutes, including 30 ± 10 minutes for dissociation and management of kidney and blood vessels, 1 ± 0.5 minutes for warm ischemia and 240 ± 10 minutes for cold storage. Rats were sacrificed at 1 day and 7 day respectively. The rats were in good condition after operation. They could eat and drink freely. At 24 hours and 1 week after transplantation, the kidney's blood supply was good, the intestine was light or showed no adhesions, and the abdominal cavity had no ascites or peculiar smell. Hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) staining showed that there were no obvious pathologic changes in the sham group. The orthotopic kidney transplantation 1-day group showed pathologic changes of ischemia-reperfusion, such as swelling, necrosis, shedding, and cast formation of renal tubular cells. The orthotopic kidney transplantation 7-day group recovered well, with mild dilation of the renal capsule and mild dilatation of the renal tubules.ConclusionThe new model of autologous kidney transplantation is simple to use, does not require vascular anastomosis and ureteral reconstruction, and has a high success rate.     

Technical refinement for third kidney transplantation

To overcome the technical difficulties of a third renal transplantation, we developed a refined technique. After native ureteral stenting, the subhepatic retroperitoneum was approached by way of a midline incision. The renal vein was sewn to the vena cava, the artery to the common iliac artery, and the ureter to the native stented ureter.     

Late Ureteral Stenosis Following Renal Transplantation: Risk Factors and Impact on Patient and Graft Survival

The aim of this retrospective study of a cohort of 1787 consecutive kidney transplantations was to analyze the risk factors associated with the occurrence of ureteral stenosis and the impact of ureteral stenosis on graft and patient survival. Between January 1990 and December 2002, 1787 renal transplantations were performed at our center. Only stenosis observed after the first month, were considered. Among the parameters studied were: donor age and serum creatinine before procurement; recipient age, cold ischemia time, delayed graft function (DGF), number of arteries and the presence of a double J stent. The follow-up parameters were the number and timing of acute rejection episodes, cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, acute pyelonephritis, renal function and death. Ureteral stenosis occurred in 4.1% of patients and was correlated with donor age > 65 years (p = 0.001), kidneys with more than 2 arteries (p = 0.009) and DGF (p = 0.016). Ureteral stenosis did not affect 10-year patient and graft survival rates, which were respectively 90% and 64% for the stenosis group, 86% and 63% for the no-stenosis group (p = NS). These data suggest an important role for donor age, number of renal arteries and DGF for the occurrence of ureteral stenosis following renal transplantation.