Branch renal artery repair with cold perfusion protection

PURPOSE: This retrospective review describes the use and clinical outcome of cold perfusion protection during branch renal artery (RA) repair in 77 consecutive patients. METHODS: From July 1987 through November 2006, 874 patients had open operative RA repair to 1312 kidneys. Seventy-seven patients (62 women, 15 men; mean age, 44 +/- 17 years) had branch RA reconstruction using ex vivo or in situ cold perfusion protection for 78 kidneys. Demographic data and surgical technique were examined. Blood pressure response and renal function were estimated. Patency of repair was determined by angiography and renal duplex ultrasound (RDUS) imaging. Primary RA patency was estimated by life-table methods. RESULTS: Seventy-eight RAs were repaired using ex vivo (49 kidneys) or in situ (29 kidneys) cold perfusion protection. Bilateral RA repair was performed in eight patients, with 13 repairs to solitary kidneys. RA disease included aneurysm (RAA) in 50, fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) in 37, atherosclerosis in 5, and arteritis in 2; 16 patients had both FMD and RAA. Hypertension was present in 93.5% (mean blood pressure, 184 +/- 35/107 +/- 19 mm Hg; mean of 1.9 +/- 1.1 drugs). RA repair included bypass using saphenous vein in 69, hypogastric artery in 3, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in 2, composite vein/PTFE in 2, cephalic vein in 1, or aneurysmorrhaphy in 1. The eight bilateral RA repairs were staged. One patient required bilateral cold perfusion protection. One planned nephrectomy was performed at the time of contralateral ex vivo reconstruction. No primary nephrectomies were required for intended reconstruction. Each RA reconstruction required branch dissection and reconstruction (mean of 2.8 +/- 1.6 branches were repaired). Mean cold ischemia time was 125 +/- 40 minutes. Each kidney was reconstructed in an orthotopic fashion. Five early failures of repair required three nephrectomies and one operative revision. Based on postoperative angiography or RDUS, or both, primary patency of RA repair at 12 months was 85% +/- 5%; assisted primary patency was 93% +/- 4%. Among patients with preoperative hypertension, 15% were cured, 65% were improved, and 20% were considered failed. Early renal function was improved in 35%, unchanged in 48%, and worse in 17%. Four patients had perioperative acute tubular necrosis. No patient progressed to dialysis-dependence. CONCLUSION: Both ex vivo and in situ cold perfusion protection extend the safe renal ischemia time for complex branch RA repair and avoid the need for nephrectomy.     

Renal autotransplantation for complex renal arterial disease: a case report

A renal artery aneurysm in a stenotic renal artery is a rare clinical entity with an incidence of 0.015% to 1% in patients with renovascular hypertension. Interventional stent placement is the first line of treatment for simple aneurysms of the proximal renal artery. However, renal autotransplantation has been used as an alternative treatment for complex lesions and for lesions originating from the distal renal artery. We present a patient with a renal artery aneurysm, renal artery stenosis of the segmental branches of the left kidney, and occlusion of the right renal artery. The surgical strategy included renal explantation, ex vivo renal preservation, ex vivo reconstruction of the 2 renal artery branches, and renal heterotopic autotransplantation. We conclude that renal autotransplantation is a safe and effective surgical procedure for patients with complex renal arterial disease.     

Ruptured renal artery aneurysm in a pregnant uninephric patient: successful ex vivo repair and autotransplantation

Renal artery aneurysm rupture during pregnancy is a rare event, with only 22 cases recorded in the literature. Maternal and fetal mortality rates have been high, and renal salvage with in situ repair of the renal artery has been documented in only three cases. We present here a case report of renal artery aneurysm rupture in a pregnant patient with congenital absence of the contralateral kidney, which was treated successfully with ex vivo renal artery reconstruction and autotransplantation. The literature on renal artery aneurysm rupture in pregnancy is reviewed and technical aspects of renal artery reconstruction and autotransplantation are presented.     

Renal Artery Aneurysm Secondary to Fibromuscular Dysplasia in a Young Patient

An 8-year-old male was found on routine physical examination to have a blood pressure of 220/110. Renal angiography demonstrated bilateral renal artery stenosis and an aneurysm of the distal left renal artery with branch involvement. At operation, the left renal artery stenosis and aneurysm was repaired by ex vivo arterial reconstruction and autotransplantation of the kidney. Pathologic evaluation of the resected aneurysm confirmed the diagnosis of fibromuscular dysplasia. Fibromuscular dysplasia is the most common cause of renal artery stenosis in children over 1 year of age and can in rare cases be associated with the development of renal artery aneurysms. In complex cases of renal artery stenosis with involvement of renal artery branches, ex vivo repair and orthotopic autotransplantation is an excellent approach for surgical management.Presented at the Twenty-second Annual Meeting of the Southern California Vascular Surgery Society, La Jolla, CA, April 30-May 2, 2004.     

Kidney transplantation in the treatment of hypertension]

Renal autotransplantation seems to be of great value as a means of renal revascularization in hypertension of renovascular origin, especially in those cases in which the preceding angioplastic procedure have resulted in failure or in cases with peripheral or difficult stenoses of the renal artery. One case is reported with a coarctation of the abdominal aorta involving both kidney arteries. The patient was treated by bypass operation and kidney autotransplantation. Two years later both kidneys are functioning normally and the patient is normotensive.     

Emergent autotransplantation of a renal allograft

Renal autotransplantation is an acceptable treatment for a variety of renal pathology. Indications for autotransplantation include renal artery diseases, loin pain hematuria syndrome, repair of ureteral pathology, ex vivo tumor resection, and repair of traumatic injury. Long-term results confirm that autotransplantation is a safe and effective procedure. Renal allograft autotransplantation has also been described for repair of vascular disease, and relocation of an allograft. We describe the first case, to our knowledge of an emergent autotransplant of a renal allograft. The patient had undergone a simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplant 7 yr prior. During attempted stenting of a common iliac artery occlusion, the stent migrated, thus jeopardizing the renal allograft. The patient was taken emergently to the operating room for open repair. This included autotransplantation of the entire kidney. The patient recovered to baseline renal function. This article reviews the indications for renal autotransplantation and autotransplantation of a renal allograft. A case of emergent autotransplant of a renal allograft is described.     

Renal autotransplantation for the treatment of complex renovascular hypertension

OBJECTIVE: In individuals with complicated renal vascular disease, renal autotransplantation has been used as an alternative to percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, which may be unsuccessful or hazardous in these situations. We evaluated the outcomes of renal autotransplantation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between February 1989 and December 2005, we performed 5 renal autotransplantation procedures. The surgical strategy included renal explantation, ex vivo renal preservation, ex vivo reconstruction of the renal artery if necessary, and renal heterotopic autotransplantation. RESULTS: The study subjects (3 men and 2 women) exhibited one of the following indications for surgery: fibromuscular dysplasia (2 patients), Takayasu's arteritis (1), or atherosclerosis (2). All patients exhibited uncontrolled hypertension before renal autotransplantation. Renal arteries of patients were anastomosed either to the external or internal iliac arteries or to both when there were multiple renal arteries. The renal vein was anastomosed end-to-side to the external iliac vein, and ureteral reimplantation was not performed. Mean posttransplantation follow-up was 9.8 +/- 5.7 years (range, 1-16 years). Mortality and morbidity were not observed during the follow-up, and hypertension and renal function normalized or improved in all 5 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Renal autotransplantation is a highly effective procedure to treat complex renovascular lesions; ex vivo renal repair is a safe and effective surgical procedure in the clinical setting.     

离体肾动脉瘤切除和自体肾移植术治疗复杂肾动脉瘤

目的 探讨手助腹腔镜法活体取肾、离体肾动脉瘤切除、肾动脉重建和自体肾移植技术治疗复杂性肾动脉瘤的安全性和可行性.方法 2006年10月收治1例42岁复杂性肾动脉瘤男性患者.术前彩超、CT及DSA检查显示左肾动脉瘤3.4 cm×4.3 cm×4.5cm大小,瘤内有部分血栓形成,位于左肾动脉主干分叉部,累及5支分支动脉,邻近肾门.患者有高血压病史,药物控制不佳.术中采用手助腹腔镜法活体取肾成功后,立即对离体肾脏采用4℃肾脏保存液灌注,低温保护肾脏.体外进行肾动脉瘤切除:切取自体右髂内动脉体外行肾动脉重建,最后将肾脏异位移植至右侧髂窝.结果 患者手术成功,围手术期未出现并发症.术后.肾功能正常:彩超复查显示右侧髂窝移植肾动脉及其分支血流通畅无狭窄,肾静脉血流通畅,输尿管无狭窄.术后13个月随访,血压恢复正常,肾功能正常.结论 离体肾动脉瘤切除和自体.肾移植术治疗复杂性肾动脉瘤微创、安全、可行.     

Laparoscopic retroperitoneal live donor right nephrectomy for purposes of allotransplantation and autotransplantation

PURPOSE: We report the technique of and initial experience with retroperitoneal laparoscopic live donor right nephrectomy for purposes of renal allotransplantation and autotransplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 5 patients underwent retroperitoneoscopic live donor nephrectomy of the right kidney for autotransplantation in 4 and living related renal donation in 1. Indications for autotransplantation included a large proximal ureteral tumor, a long distal ureteral stricture and 2 cases of the loin pain hematuria syndrome. In all cases a 3-port retroperitoneal laparoscopic approach and a pelvic muscle splitting Gibson incision for kidney extraction were used. In patients undergoing autotransplantation the same incision was used for subsequent transplantation. RESULTS: All procedures were successfully accomplished without technical or surgical complications. Total mean operating time was 5.8 hours and average laparoscopic donor nephrectomy time was 3.1 hours. Mean renal warm ischemia time, including endoscopic cross clamping of the renal artery to ex vivo cold perfusion, was 4 minutes. Average blood loss for the entire procedure was 400 cc. Radionuclide scan on postoperative day 1 confirmed good blood flow and function in all transplanted kidneys. Mean analgesic requirement was 58 mg. fentanyl. Mean hospital stay was 4 days (range 2 to 8), and convalescence was completed in 3 to 4 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: In the occasional patient requiring renal autotransplantation live donor nephrectomy can be performed laparoscopically with renal extraction and subsequent transplantation through a single standard extraperitoneal Gibson incision, thus, minimizing the overall operative morbidity. Furthermore, these data demonstrate that live donor nephrectomy of the right kidney can be performed safely using a retroperitoneal approach with an adequate length of the right renal vein obtained for allotransplantation or autotransplantation.     

The role of renal autotransplantation in pediatric and young adult patients with renal artery disease

From 1977 to 1984, renal autotransplantation was attempted in 16 pediatric and young adult patients with renal artery disease, ranging in age from 10 months to 21 years. Renal revascularization was indicated as treatment for severe hypertension in 15 patients and to prevent rupture of an arterial aneurysm in one patient. The reasons for undertaking renal autotransplantation were branch renal artery disease requiring extracorporeal revascularization (n = 14), abdominal aortic hypoplasia (n = 1), and renal artery disease in a small infant (n = 1). Renal revascularization was successfully accomplished in 14 of 16 patients, including one patient who underwent staged bilateral extracorporeal repairs. Obliteration of the inferior vena cava and iliac veins precluded autotransplantation in one patient and a nephrectomy was done. In one patient extracorporeal ligation of an inaccessible renal arterial branch was accomplished with autotransplantation. Currently all 16 patients are normotensive with excellent renal function. Extracorporeal surgery and autotransplantation have been important additions to the surgical armamentarium for renal artery disease.     

Renal vein reconstruction with interposition allografts in cadaveric renal transplantation

Abstract. The short or injured renal vein in cadaveric transplantation is a surgical challenge. Over a 2-year period, we have performed ex vivo renal vein lengthening with an interposition vascular allograft in 17 recipients of cadaveric kidneys. Indications for renal vein extension allografts were a short right renal vein ( N = 12), procurement injury to the vein ( N = 4), and double renal vein ( N = 1). In six cases (35.3%), ex vivo renal artery reconstruction was performed in combination with the venous repair. Our preferred approach is to employ allograft material in ex vivo reconstruction under cold storage conditions. Bench surgery ranged from 10 to 30 min, and the mean in situ anastomosis time was 20 min. The mean length of renal vein prior to reconstruction was 12 mm, and the mean length of venous interposition allograft after revascularization was 27 mm. There were no episodes of vascular thrombosis or primary nonfunction. Three patients (17.6%) required postoperative hemodialysis for acute tubular necrosis, which was subsequently resolved. The mean serum creatinine at 1 month post-transplant was 1.7 mg/dl. These preliminary results suggest that ex vivo renal vein reconstruction with an interposition allograft is a safe and effective modality which should be added to the transplant surgeon's armamentarium in select cases.     

Renal artery aneurysm. Treatment by ex-vivo reconstruction and autotransplantation: three cases and literature review

Renal artery aneurysms (RAAs) is a rare clinical entity: the prevalence is approximately 0.01%-1% in the general population. Complex aneurysms of the first ramification of the main renal artery often require nephrectomy for adequate excision. From December 2002 to July 2007, we treated 3 patients with complex RAA. All the patients were treated with ex vivo reconstruction of the renal artery followed by autotransplantation of the kidney into the ipsilateral iliac fossa. Observation is suggested for asymptomatic complex renal artery aneurysms measuring less than 2 cm in diameter. Surgical treatment by aneurysmectomy and reconstruction in vivo or ex vivo technique is indicated for RAA causing renovascular hypertension, dissection, embolization, local expansion and for those in women of childbearing age with a potential for pregnancy, or asymptomatic more than 2 cm in diameter. Ex vivo repair and renal autotransplantation is a safe and effective treatment for the management of complex renal artery aneurysms.     

Intraoperative evaluation of blood perfusion by laser-assisted indocyanine green angiography after ex vivo vascular reconstruction of intrahilar renal artery aneurysm

The surgical reconstruction of intrahilar renal artery aneurysms (RAAs) is a difficult surgery because of complex anatomy. We present a case of right intrahilar RAA diagnosed in a 67-year-old man. We performed ex vivo reconstruction using an organ preservation solution to prevent postoperative renal failure. We assessed graft patency and blood perfusion was assessed by laser-assisted indocyanine green angiography using the SPY system after autotransplantation. Postoperative renal insufficiency was not observed. The results demonstrate that ex vivo reconstruction of intrahilar RAAs using an organ preservation solution, and graft patency and blood perfusion evaluation using the SPY system are effective methods for preserving renal function.     

Extracorporeal renal artery repair and autotransplantation

Seven renal artery lesions in 6 patients have been corrected by extracorporeal repair of the renal artery followed by autotransplantation. Short-term renal presevation was accomplished using readily available perfusion solutions. Six of the seven procedures were technically successful. One of the six technically successful procedures was a functional failure, with the patient ultimately receiving a cadaver kidney transplant. Five of the 6 patients are well and free symptoms, and 1 patient has recurrent disease in branches of the autotransplanted kidney and is again hypertensive.     

Renal vein reconstruction with interposition allografts in cadaveric renal transplantation

The short or injured renal vein in cadaveric transplantation is a surgical challenge. Over a 2-year period, we have performed ex vivo renal vein lengthening with an interposition vascular allograft in 17 recipients of cadaveric kidneys. Indications for renal vein extension allografts were a short right renal vein (N=12), procurement injury to the vein (N=4), and double renal vein (N=1). In six cases (35.3%), ex vivo renal artery reconstruction was performed in combination with the venous repair. Our preferred approach is to employ allograft material in ex vivo reconstruction under cold storage conditions. Bench surgery ranged from 10 to 30 min, and the mean in situ anastomosis time was 20 min. The mean length of renal vein prior to reconstruction was 12 mm, and the mean length of venous interposition allograft after revascularization was 27 mm. There were no episodes of vascular thrombosis or primary nonfunction. Three patients (17.6%) required postoperative hemodialysis for acute tubular necrosis, which was subsequently resolved. The mean serum creatinine at 1 month post-transplant was 1.7 mg/dl. These preliminary results suggest that ex vivo renal vein reconstruction with an interposition allograft is a safe and effective modality which should be added to the transplant surgeon's armamentarium in select cases.     

IN SITU PERFUSION BY RETROGRADE CANNULATION OF A TUMOR ARTERY FOR NEPHRON-SPARING SURGERY

Background:
Although ice slush cooling or ex situ perfusion with bench surgery is most widely used for protecting ischemic renal damage which possibly accompanies complicated nephron-sparing surgery, each has its own disadvantages. The former does not allow excessively long ischemia and the laller requires complicated procedures as autotransplantation. In order to mitigate against these problems, we devised a novel method of in situ renal perfusion with intracellular hyperosmolar solution.
Methods:
One renal segmental artery mainly supplying a tumor was isolated and cannulated with a small feeding tube. The tube was introduced through a small arteriotomy incision directed towards the proximal side, advanced until its tip remained in the main or first branch of the renal artery, and then it was anchored to that artery. After the main renal artery and vein were clamped, the kidney was perfused with cold Euro-Collins' solution through the tube, while the venous blood and perfusate were drained from the left gonadal vein or small venotomy incision of the right renal vein. Results: In one case of renal cell carcinoma and three cases of angiomyolipoma, two of which ruptured, nephron-sparing surgery was carried out under in situ hyperosmolar perfusion. Ischemic time of these four cases was an average of 96 minutes, varying from 45 to 145 minutes. All the kidneys functioned well postoperatively,
Conclusions:
The method presented here is very simple, requires no unusual dexterity and safely allows for a long period of renal ischemia. This method is best indicated in cases where simple clamping of the renal pedicle with ice-slush cooling appears insufficient, yet ex situ surgery with autotransplantation seems excessive.     

Evolving strategies for the repair of complex renovascular lesions.

Fifty-five patients with 59 complex renovascular lesions required two or more branch artery anastomoses during aortorenal grafting. Forty-five reconstructions involving 112 branches were facilitated using hypothermic ex vivo perfusion preservation, whereas 14 involving 28 branches were repaired in situ. Ex vivo repair was used whenever the kidney was considered unreconstructable by in situ techniques. Fibromuscular dysplasia predominated and the branched internal iliac artery was used for renal artery substitution. There were no deaths and only one kidney (ex vivo) was lost. Branch vessel occlusion occurred in two of 140 anastomoses (1.4%). Ninety-eight per cent (51/52) of the heparinized patients had cure or improvement at mean follow-up of 5 years. No late graft dysfunction occurred in postoperative angiographic follow-up. The branched internal iliac artery is uniquely suited and remains the preference of the authors for the replacement of the diseased renal artery and its branches. The in situ repair is ideally suited for lesions limited to the renal artery bifurcation. Ex vivo repair is reserved for complex or reoperative distal arterial lesions. Unique characteristics in the group include: bilateral lesions (25%), solitary kidney (22%), reoperative lesions (16%), children (9%), and coexisting significant aortic disease (7%). In situ and ex vivo repair meet all the challenges of complex renovascular disease. The strategies outlined will achieve outstanding long-term total and segmental renal salvage in the treatment of hypertension or aneurysmal disease. When ex vivo repair is required, it can be accomplished with only one additional simple maneuver, the reanastomosis of the renal vein.     

Ex-vivo microvascular reconstruction before renal allograft and autograft transplantation

Microvascular reconstruction was performed ex vivo on 50 kidneys that had vascular anomalies or had sustained vascular injury during procurement before allograft transplantation or autotransplantation. The authors review the various surgical techniques used to facilitate the in-situ vascular anastomoses during transplantation and to salvage otherwise an unusable allograft. The complications associated with the microvascular repair were negligible. The authors conclude from the results of their study that ex-vivo microvascular reconstruction is a valuable adjunct to renal transplantation.     

Spontaneous dissection of renal artery: long-term results of extracorporeal reconstruction and autotransplantation1

PURPOSE: We undertook this study to assess the outcome of spontaneous dissection of the renal artery and its branches surgically treated with extracorporeal reconstruction and autotransplantation. SUBJECTS: Between 1975 and 1996, 15 consecutive patients (19 kidneys) with spontaneous renal artery dissection underwent renal artery reconstruction. Fourteen patients had accelerated hypertension. Five patients had impaired renal function. In 14 patients the dissection was associated with fibrodysplasia, and in 1 patient it was related to arteriosclerosis. INTERVENTION: In 17 kidneys extracorporeal reconstruction and autotransplantation was used. The renal artery of 1 kidney was reconstructed in situ. One primary nephrectomy was performed. RESULTS: There were no operative deaths or major morbidity. All but 1 reconstruction was successful (94.4%). Results at follow-up (range, 1-8 years) were favorable in 14 patients; 79% had satisfactory blood pressure control, and all patients had normal renal function, including those with impaired renal function preoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Extracorporeal reconstruction and autotransplantation can be effectively used in patients with spontaneous renal artery dissection located in or extending into the distal branches. Early recognition and appreciation of the clinical presentation of spontaneous renal artery dissection are important.