Outcome of renal allografts with multiple arteries

BACKGROUND: Renal allograft transplantation with multiple arteries (MRA) was always avoided as much as possible as it is technically demanding and carries a higher MSK for complications. This was a single-center study to explore the graft outcomes of kidney transplantation with MRA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 35 patients who received kidney grafts with MRA for the surgical technique, surgical complications, graft function, and graft survival. The results were compared with those achieved in recipients of kidney grafts with a single renal artery (SRA). RESULTS: Of 35 grafts, there were 2 renal arteries in 30 grafts, and 3 renal arteries in 5 grafts. In the MRA group, there were 7 instances of surgical complications, the mean serum creatinine levels were 122, 139, and 156 micromol/L at 1 month, 1 year, and 5 years, respectively, and the actuarial graft survival rates were 94.3%, 88.6%, and 83% at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. In the SRA group, there were 56 instances of surgical complications, the mean serum creatinine levels were 115, 121, and 141 micromol/L at 1 month, 1 year, and 5 years, respectively, and the actuarial graft survival rates were 93.7%, 88.1%, and 84.4% at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. CONCLUSION: Although transplantation of MRA grafts might carry a relatively higher risk for complications, it is justified because it gives results comparable with those achieved in SRA.     

The long-term outcomes of transplantation of kidneys with multiple renal arteries

Kidneys with multiple renal arteries are increasingly procured for transplantation. To compare the outcomes of kidney transplantation using allografts with multiple arteries, we studied long-term graft function and survival according to their number of arterial anastomoses during an 18-year period from July 1, 1990, through December 31, 2008, in which only the recipient's external iliac artery or internal iliac artery was used for anastomosis (n = 1186). The recipients were divided into four groups: group I, single renal artery with single anastomosis (n = 890, 75.0%); group Il, multiple renal arteries, single anastomosis (n = 26, 2.2%); group Ill, multiple renal arteries, multiple anastomoses (n = 236, 19.9%); and group IV, polar artery ligation (n = 34, 2.9%). We compared the following variables patient and graft survivals; mean creatinine levels at 1 and 6 months, as well as 1-, 3-, and 5-years posttransplant; the number of acute rejection episodes, and the rates of vascular and urologic complications. The creatinine values and incidences of acute rejection episodes did not differ significantly (P = 0.399 and P = 0.990, respectively). There were no significant differences among the four groups in graft survival (P = 0.951), patient survival (P = 0.751), incidence of vascular (P = 0.999) or urologic complications (P = 0.371). The four groups were subdivided according to the recipient arterial anastomosis to the main graft renal artery. The subdivided groups showed no significant differences in graft or patient survival, or complications rates. The results indicated that multiplicity of renal arteries in kidney transplantation did not adversely affect allograft or patient survival compared with single renal artery transplantation. Moreover, the type of the arterial anastomosis (main renal artery end-to-end anastomosed to internal iliac artery or end-to-side anastomosed to external iliac artery appeared to not affect graft or patient survival or the incidence of vascular or urologic complications.     

彩色多普勒超声评价经皮肾镜技术围手术期肾脏血流动力学

目的探讨经皮肾镜技术（PCNL）对围手术期肾脏血流动力学的影响。方法应用CDFI观察30例接受单侧、单通道PCNL患者术前1天及术后5-7天患侧各级肾动脉血流参数,并进行统计学分析。结果术后各级肾动脉阻力指数（RI）均低于术前,肾门处主肾动脉、叶间动脉、小叶间动脉舒张末期血流速度（Vmin）升高（P〈0.05）。重度积水患者术后段动脉、叶间动脉RI降低（P〈0.05）,叶间动脉Vmin增加（P〈0.05）;中度积水患者术后各级肾动脉RI降低（P〈0.05）,主肾动脉、小叶间动脉Vmin增加（P〈0.05）;轻度积水患者术后主肾动脉、段动脉RI降低（P〈0.05）,段动脉Vmin增加（P〈0.05）;无积水患者术后段动脉、叶间动脉RI降低（P〈0.05）。结论 PCNL术后短期内患侧肾脏肾动脉舒张期灌注改善,RI降低。CDFI可观察肾内血流灌注,并量化肾内血流动力学信息。     

Sequential anastomosis of accessory renal artery to inferior epigastric artery in the management of multiple arteries in live related renal transplantation: a critical appraisal

In live related renal transplant program, management of multiple renal arteries (MRA) is technically demanding and used to be considered a relative contraindication because of increased risk of vascular and urologic complications. We present a retrospective analysis of the outcome of grafts with MRA and suggest certain guidelines. Of the 680 live related kidney transplantations done, 53 allografts had MRA. Cases were grouped according to the reconstruction technique: group A, MRA reconstructed ex vivo into a single renal artery (n=27); group B, MRA with multiple anastomoses in vivo (n =13); group C, MRA with sequential revascularization using inferior epigastric artery (n=11). We compared serum creatinine, acute tubular necrosis, rejection rates and the rewarm ischemia time between the three groups. Overall patient survival and graft survival were excellent (100 and 96%). Mean serum creatinine at 1 yr did not differ significantly between the three groups. Rewarm ischemia time was significantly less in group C (p<0.01). Incidence of acute tubular necrosis and rejection episodes was also less in group C although the difference was statistically significant only between group C and group B. We conclude that allografts with MRA can be used successfully in a live related renal transplantation program. Bench reconstruction should be done whenever possible. For reconstruction of an accessory vessel, inferior epigastric artery with sequential revascularization is recommended.     

Delayed graft function and cast nephropathy associated with tacrolimus plus rapamycin use

Delayed graft function (DGF) occurs in 15 to 25% (range, 10 to 62%) of cadaveric kidney transplant recipients and up to 9% of living donor recipients. In addition to donor, recipient, and procedural factors, the choice of immunosuppression may influence the development of DGF. The impact of immunosuppression on DGF was studied. The frequency of DGF was evaluated in first cadaveric or living donor kidney allograft recipients (n = 144) transplanted at the University of Washington from November 1999 through September 1, 2001. Donor, recipient, and procedural factors, as well as biopsy results, were compared between patients who developed DGF and those who did not. DGF was more common in patients treated with rapamycin than without (25% versus 8.9%, P = 0.02) and positively correlated with rapamycin dose (P = 0.008). In those developing DGF, the duration of posttransplant dialysis increased with donor age (P = 0.003) but decreased with mycophenolate mofetil use (P = 0.01). All biopsies during episodes of DGF demonstrated changes of acute tubular injury. Of the patients with tubular injury, 12 treated with rapamycin and tacrolimus developed intratubular cast formation indistinguishable from myeloma cast nephropathy. Histologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural studies indicated that these casts were composed at least in part of degenerating renal tubular epithelial cells. These findings suggest that rapamycin therapy exerts increased toxicity on tubular epithelial cells and/or retards healing, leading to an increased incidence of DGF. Additionally, rapamycin treatment combined with a calcineurin inhibitor may lead to extensive tubular cell injury and death and a unique form of cast nephropathy.     

Renovascular reconstruction of grafts with renal artery variations in living kidney transplantation

INTRODUCTION: The shortage of grafts in living kidney transplantation has forced the use of marginal grafts with arterial disease or grafts with multiple renal arteries (MRA). We reviewed the outcomes of transplants using allografts with MRA procured by open donor nephrectomy and report two cases requiring vascular reconstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed 31 cases where renovascular reconstruction of an MRA graft was performed. A ex vivo pantaloon (side-to-side) anastomosis to create a common channel was performed in 24 cases including two cases of renal artery aneurysms in the grafts, where vascular reconstruction was performed in the same fashion after resection of the aneurysm. In four cases, an accessory artery was anastomosed sequentially after revasculization of the main artery. In three cases of grafts with multiple renal arteries, multiple anastomoses were done in situ after various ex vivo renovascular reconstructions. RESULTS: Twenty one MRA grafts including grafts with a renal aneurysm are functioning well for a mean follow-up 135 months. The graft survival rate was 71.0% at 5 years after transplantation and 67.7% at 10 years. The donors whose grafts had a renal aneurysm were also well and normotensive with normal renal function at present. Ten grafts failed mainly due to chronic allograft nephropathy. CONCLUSION: MRA grafts procured by open nephrectomy, including those with renal artery aneurysms, were engrafted successfully by applying appropriate renovascular surgery. The use of those grafts was safe for both the recipient and the donor.     

Influence of cadaveric organ source on delayed renal allograft function

From 1984 to 1987, 110 locally retrieved cadaveric kidneys were transplanted into 108 local recipients, including 50 kidneys from multiple-organ retrieval (MOR) procedures and 60 from kidney-only (KO) donors. Conventional multiple organ retrieval technique, iced Euro-Collins storage, and cyclosporine-prednisone immunosuppression were employed. Delayed graft function (DGF), defined as dialysis dependence after transplantation, was twice as high in the MOR allografts as in the KO allografts, 46% vs. 22%, P less than 0.01. DGF was associated with longer hospitalization postoperatively and reduced eventual allograft function. The greater concordance of DGF in allograft pairs from the MOR group (25% vs. 7% in the KO group) and the increased incidence of DGF when more complex forms of MOR were used (40% with liver or heart retrieval, 55% with liver and heart retrieval) suggested that retrieval-related factors influenced allograft function. DGF in the MOR allografts was unrelated to other differences in donor, preservation, or recipient characteristics in the comparative groups. Unrecognized warm ischemia during conventional MOR is a plausible cause of DGF in kidneys from multiple-organ donors.     

Renal transplant arterial thrombosis: association with cyclosporine

Of 136 patients who received a renal transplant between January 1984 and August 1988, there were six cases (4.4%) of allograft arterial thrombosis (AAT) occurring a mean of 23 days after transplantation. All were maintained on cyclosporine A(CsA) in addition to prednisone and azathioprine. All transplants were performed by the same transplant surgeon. Five of the six episodes (83%) were in allografts that had multiple renal arteries (MRA), giving an incidence of AAT in that group of 36%. Only one of 122 (0.8%) allografts with a single renal artery experienced thrombosis. CsA was started a mean of 9 days after transplantation (range, 16 to 33 days). There was no correlation of AAT to CsA levels. AAT appears to be an early complication of allografts with MRA in patients maintained on CsA.     

Immediate graft function positively affects long-term outcome of renal allografts from older but not from younger donors

There is disagreement about the impact of delayed graft function (DGF) on renal allograft outcome. This may depend on several variables including the age of the donor. We evaluated whether DGF could have different effects in recipients of kidneys from donors aged more than 60 years versus well-matched recipients of younger kidney donors. Patients were retrospectively subdivided into 3 groups. Immediate graft function (IGF), DGF without dialysis (DGF-ND), DGF requiring dialysis (DGF-D). DGF-ND and DGF-D occurred more frequently among 198 older than 198 younger donors (P = .016 and P = .044, respectively). The 5-year patient (96% vs 93%) and pure graft (96% vs 89%) survivals were significantly better in younger recipients, while the incidence of acute rejection was similar. After a mean follow-up of 66 +/- 44 months in older donor recipients, the graft survival was significantly better among IGF than patients in the DGF-ND (P = .046) or DGF-D (P = .003) groups. Instead, in younger recipients there was no difference in graft survival between IGD and DGF-ND. Only patients with DGF-D showed a significantly worse outcome. Upon multivariate analysis of older donors, their recipients, showed the pattern of graft function recovery to be the only variable associated with allograft outcome. Instead in younger donor recipients, acute rejection and time on dialysis were the main variables associated with a poor outcome. In older donor recipients, DGF was an independent variable associated with a poor graft outcome. In younger donor recipients, duration of dialysis and rejection were the most important predictors of poor graft outcomes.     

Basiliximab (Simulect) in renal transplantation with high risk for delayed graft function

BACKGROUND: Basiliximab (Simulect) is effective in reducing episodes of acute rejection in renal transplantation. Delayed graft function (DGF) predisposes to acute rejection and shortens graft survival. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of basiliximab in renal transplantation recipients at high risk for DGF. METHODS: We studied 87 patients (mean age, 59 years), 42 of whom received basiliximab, 20 mg before transplantation and 20 mg on day 4. This cohort was compared with 45 patients without basiliximab. All received cyclosporine (51%) or tacrolimus (49%), mycophenolate mofetil, and steroids. DGF was defined as the requirement for dialysis within the first week after transplantation or failure to improve preexisting renal function. High-risk factors for DGF were cold ischemia time, recipient and donor age, non-heart-beating donor, HLA matching, and panel reactive antibody (PRA). RESULTS: The incidence of DGF was 18 (43%) in the basiliximab group versus 28 (62%) in the other patients (P = .07). When allografts from non-heart-beating donors were excluded, this incidence was 14 (38%) in the basiliximab group versus 28 (62%) in the other patients (P = .04). Regression analysis showed basiliximab to be a protective factor: 0.26 (range, 0.09-0.76). Basiliximab was well tolerated, and complications were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Basiliximab reduced the incidence of DGF in patients who received a high-risk allograft. It was well tolerated, and no adverse events were reported. The use of basiliximab may be considered in patients receiving an allograft who are at high risk for DGF.     

The association of –262C/T polymorphism in the catalase gene and delayed graft function of kidney allografts

Background: Catalase is an intracellular antioxidant enzyme that is mainly located in cellular peroxisomes and in the cytosol. This enzyme plays a significant role in the development of tolerance to oxidative stress in the adaptive response of cells and tissues. The aim of the present study was to examine the association between the –262C/T polymorphism in the catalase gene and delayed graft function (DGF), acute rejection and chronic allograft nephropathy of kidney allografts. Methods: One hundred eighty‐seven recipients of first renal transplants were included in the study. The histories of the patients were analysed regarding DGF, acute rejection and chronic allograft nephropathy. The polymorphism –262C/T in the catalase gene was analysed using the polymerase chain reaction – restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) method. Results: The risk of DGF was significantly lower in T allele carriers compared with CC homozygotes: odds ratio = 0.34, 95% confidence interval = 0.17–0.67, P = 0.001. There were no statistically significant associations between the studied polymorphism and acute rejection or chronic allograft nephropathy. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that –262C/T polymorphism in the catalase gene is associated with DGF in kidney allograft recipients.     

Randomized trial of tacrolimus + mycophenolate mofetil or azathioprine versus cyclosporine + mycophenolate mofetil after cadaveric kidney transplantation: results at three years

METHODS: Two hundred twenty-three recipients of first cadaveric kidney allografts were randomized to receive tacrolimus (TAC) + mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), TAC + azathioprine (AZA), or cyclosporine (Neoral; CsA) + MMF. All regimens contained corticosteroids, and antibody induction was used only in patients who experienced delayed graft function (DGF). Patients were followed-up for 3 years. RESULTS: The results at 3 years corroborate and extend the findings of the 2-year results. Patients with DGF treated with TAC+MMF experienced an increase in 3-year allograft survival compared with patients receiving CsA+MMF (84.1% vs. 49.9%, P=0.02). Patients randomized to either treatment arm containing TAC exhibited numerically superior kidney function when compared with CsA. During the 3 years, new-onset insulin dependence occurred in 6, 3, and 11 patients in the TAC+MMF, CsA+MMF, and TAC+AZA treatment arms, respectively. Furthermore, patients randomized to TAC+MMF received significantly lower doses of MMF as compared with those who received CsA+MMF. CONCLUSION: All three immunosuppressive regimens provided excellent safety and efficacy. However, the best results overall were achieved with TAC+MMF. The combination may provide particular benefit to kidney allograft recipients with DGF. In patients who experienced DGF, graft survival was better at 3 years in those patients receiving TAC in combination with either MMF or AZA as compared with the patients receiving CsA with MMF.     

Hepatitis C, acute humoral rejection, and renal allograft survival

The effect of recipient hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on renal allograft loss and acute rejection in kidney transplantation remains controversial. We studied 354 renal allograft recipients transplanted during 1996 to 2001 who had HCV antibodies (Ab) measured before transplantation. The primary outcome was death-censored allograft loss and the secondary outcome was acute humoral rejection (AHR). Compared with HCV Ab-negative patients, those with positive HCV Ab had longer time on dialysis before transplantation, higher percentage of panel-reactive antibodies (PRA), were more likely to receive a cadaveric transplant, and were more likely to develop delayed graft function (DGF). In univariate analyses, predictors of renal allograft loss included HCV, cadaveric graft, PRA >20%, HLA mismatch > or =5, retransplantation, DGF, induction therapy, and AHR. When adjusted for PRA >20%, HLA mismatch > or =5, and multiple transplant status, HCV was not a statistically significant predictor of allograft loss. HCV was also associated with AHR but lost significance when adjusted for PRA >20%. HCV Ab-positive patients were more likely to have longer duration of dialysis before transplantation prior to kidney transplants, higher PRA, and to receive cadaveric transplants. These characteristics likely resulted in more DGF and AHR after transplantation. After adjusting for these confounding factors, the association between HCV Ab positivity and renal allograft loss was notably attenuated and no longer statistically significant.     

Management and Outcome of Living Kidney Grafts with Multiple Arteries

Purpose Kidney allografts with multiple renal arteries (MRAs) have been used with increasing frequency since the advent of laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy. To determine if MRA grafts affect the short- and long-term outcomes of grafts and patients, we analyzed 340 grafts procured by open nephrectomy.Methods We divided the graft recipients into five groups according to the methods used for vascular reconstruction. We compared patient and graft survival, serum creatinine levels, total (rewarm) ischemic times (TIT), incidence of acute tubular necrosis (ATN), need for antihypertensive drugs, incidence of acute rejection episodes, and vascular and urologic complications, between the MRA group and a control group of patients with single-artery renal grafts.Results In patients who underwent multiple anastomoses in situ, prolonged TIT resulted in an increased incidence of ATN, but there was no significant difference between the MRA groups and the control group (P = 0.45). The incidence of vascular complications was higher in the MRA groups (P < 0.01), but there were no significant differences in the other variables among the groups.Conclusion Multiple renal artery grafts procured by open nephrectomy can be transplanted as successfully as those with single arteries, by using meticulous suturing techniques.     

Risk factors and consequences of delayed graft function in deceased donor renal transplant patients receiving antithymocyte globulin induction

BACKGROUND: Induction rabbit antithymocyte globulin (rATG) is largely used in renal allograft recipients at risk for delayed graft function (DGF) and immunologic rejection. The purpose of our study was to characterize risk factors and outcomes associated with DGF when it occurs in recipients undergoing routine rATG induction. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our experience in a predominantly high-risk population receiving modern immunosuppressive regimens. RESULTS: Of 231 deceased-donor transplants, high-risk characteristics included African American race (68%), retransplants (12%), peak panel reactive antibody of atleast 20% (19%), expanded criteria donor kidney (15%), and cold ischemia time exceeding 24 hr (27%). DGF occurred in 29% of patients. rATG was continued to a dose of 7.3 mg/kg in DGF patients and 5 mg/kg in non-DGF patients (P<0.0001). Risk factors for DGF were recipient body mass index greater than 30 kg/m(2) (odds ratio [OR]=1.5, P=0.02), female donor/male recipient pairings (OR=1.5, P=0.033), sirolimus use (OR=1.7, P=0.003), and donor creatinine more than 1.5 mg/dL (OR=1.6, P=0.016). One-year patient survival (99% non-DGF, 91% DGF; P=0.001) and acute rejection incidence through 36 months (11% non-DGF, 22.4% DGF; P=0.025) differed between groups. DGF patients experienced a higher rejection rate during the second and third years posttransplant. Death-censored graft survival was similar throughout 36 months. CONCLUSION: In kidney transplantation with routine rATG induction, DGF was related to size and gender, donor creatinine, and immunosuppressive protocol. Despite low first-year rejection rates, DGF was associated with inferior patient survival. Importantly, patients with DGF continued to be at risk for rejection beyond the first year. Donor and recipient selection impacts short-term outcomes, and induction alone may not confer a long-term advantage without further modification of baseline therapy.     

亲属活体供肾移植中副肾动脉的重建

目的 探讨亲属活体供肾移植中利用受者腹壁下动脉(IEA)重建供肾副肾动脉(ARA)的临床效果.方法 存在ARA的亲属活体供肾16个,其中单支型15个,多支型1个.5个供肾的ARA位于上极,1个位于中部,9个位于下极,1个供肾的中部和下极各有一支ARA,其开口直径为1.5～3.5 mm.供肾热缺血时间为1～6.5 min,冷缺血时间为15 90 min.除多支型1例的中部ARA与肾动脉主干行端侧吻合外,其余16支ARA均与受者的IEA重建.ARA位于上极的5个供肾中,3个由于ARA过短,而供肾因为输尿管原因又不适于颠倒以与IEA重建,遂切取一段长3～6cm的供者生殖腺静脉,对ARA进行延长,再将ARA与IEA进行重建.术后采用多普勒超声检查移植肾血流,监测血清肌酐(Cr).结果 所有IEA与ARA的吻合均一次完成,吻合时间为(4.9±1.4)min,开放IEA后,见IEA和ARA均搏动良好,吻合口通畅.仅2例术中发生吻合口漏血,经热盐水纱布轻压局部2～3 min后出血停止.术后第3天,多普勒超声检查显示,16例移植肾的ARA供血区域血流丰富,局部动脉阻力指数正常(<0.7).所有肾脏均在恢复血液供应后10 min内开始泌尿,术后血清Cr均迅速下降至正常.16例未发现下肢血管并发症的发生.术后随访6个月,未见局部动脉栓塞,也无输尿管坏死发生.结论 对于存在ARA的供肾,可利用受者的IEA进行重建,此术式适用于ARA与肾动脉主干或其他动脉吻合存在困难者.     

Morbidity of pancreas transplantation during cadaveric renal transplantation.

Simultaneous transplantation of the pancreas is an option for diabetic patients undergoing kidney transplantation to attempt to halt progression of diabetic complications, but the additional risk imposed by the procedure is unclear. Our aim was to determine the morbidity attributable to pancreas transplantation during simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation. We compared the first posttransplant year of 18 consecutive recipients of combined pancreas and kidney transplantation to 18 consecutive recipients of kidney transplantation alone. All patients received cadaver donor allografts between 1986 and 1989, and had type I diabetes mellitus with chronic renal failure. There were no differences in patient survival (94% both groups) or satisfactory renal allograft function (89% pancreas/kidney group, 83% kidney group) up to 18 months after transplantation. Eighty-eight percent of pancreas allografts were functioning satisfactorily at 18 months. There was a mean (+/- SD) of 1.5 +/- 1.0 acute rejection episodes per patient for the pancreas/kidney group compared to 0.8 +/- 6 for the kidney-only group (P less than 0.02). Cytomegalovirus infection and wound complications were each encountered more often after pancreas/kidney transplantation than kidney transplantation alone, and together with rejection accounted for a difference in days of hospitalization during the first year (71 +/- 34 vs. 27 +/- 13, P less than 0.001). We conclude that simultaneous pancreas transplantation during cadaver donor kidney transplantation accounted for more frequent rejection episodes, CMV infections, and wound complications. These complications resulted in more hospitalization for patients undergoing simultaneous pancreas/kidney transplantation than kidney transplantation alone.     

Short- and long-term outcomes of kidney transplants with multiple renal arteries.

OBJECTIVE: The authors determined whether the use of kidney allografts with multiple renal arteries adversely effects post-transplant graft and patient outcome or increases the incidence of vascular and urologic complications. BACKGROUND: Kidney grafts with multiple renal arteries have been associated with an increased incidence of early vascular and urologic complications. Kidney transplants with single versus multiple renal arteries have not been compared in regard to long-term graft and patient outcome or post-transplant incidence of hypertension, acute tubular necrosis, rejection, and late vascular and urologic complications. METHODS: We analyzed 998 adult kidney transplants done from December 1, 1985 through June 30, 1993, in which only the recipient's external or internal iliac artery was used for anastomosis. We divided the study population into 3 groups: Group A-1 renal artery, 1 arterial anastomosis (n = 835), Group B-->1 renal artery, 1 arterial anastomosis (n = 112), Group C-->1 renal artery, > 1 arterial anastomosis (n = 51). We compared the incidence of post-transplant hypertension, acute tubular necrosis, acute rejection, and vascular and urologic complications; mean creatinine levels at 1, 3, and 5 years post-transplant; and patient and graft survival. Univariate and multivariate analyses were done to identify risk factors for vascular complications. RESULTS: We found no significant differences among the three groups for the following variables: post-transplant hypertension, acute tubular necrosis, acute rejection, creatinine levels, early vascular and urologic complications, and graft and patient survival. In kidneys with single arteries, the presence (vs. absence) of an aortic patch and the type of the arterial anastomosis (end-to-end to the hypogastric vs. end-to-side to the external iliac artery) did not have an impact on the incidence of early or late vascular complications. In kidneys with multiple arteries, only the rate of late renal artery stenosis was higher, the rate of early vascular and urologic complications was not different. Our multivariate analysis identified acute tubular necrosis as a risk factor for renal artery and vein thrombosis; graft placement on the left side for arterial thrombosis; and preservation time > or = 24 hours and multiple renal arteries for renal artery stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Results of kidney transplants using allografts with multiple versus single arteries are similar.     

Multiple arteries in live donor renal transplantation: surgical aspects and outcomes

PURPOSE: This retrospective study describes the surgical techniques and outcomes of live donor renal allografts with multiple arteries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1976 and 2000, 1,200 consecutive live donor renal transplants were done, including 1,087 with single (group 1) and 113 with multiple (group 2) arteries. Intracorporeal in situ anastomotic techniques were used for 94 grafts with multiple arteries, while ex vivo techniques were used for 19. During in situ surgery each one of the multiple arteries was anastomosed separately to an individual artery. In ex vivo surgery 2 or more arteries were joined together on the bench to form a common stem, which was then anastomosed to an iliac artery or the aorta. RESULTS: Patient and graft survival were comparable in groups 1 and 2. The 2 groups were comparable regarding complications, including arterial bleeding, hematoma, renal artery stenosis, acute rejection, new onset hypertension, acute tubular necrosis and urological complications. Mean serum creatinine +/- SD at 1 year was 1.4 +/- 0.5 and 1.5 +/- 0.6 mg./dl., and at 5 years it was 1.8 +/- 1 and 2.1 +/- 1.4 mg./dl. for the 2 groups, respectively. The difference was only significant at 1 year (p = 0.02). Graft and patient survival, and the incidence of the described complications were comparable for the ex vivo bench anastomotic techniques and intracorporeal in situ techniques in the group with multiple renal arteries. CONCLUSIONS: The use of multiple arteries in renal allografts does not adversely affect patient or graft survival. It is not associated with an increased rate of complications except for significantly higher mean serum creatinine at 1 year. Extracorporeal bench surgery was as effective as intracorporeal surgery for the anastomosis of multiple renal arteries with no increase in the incidence of relevant complications.     

Extracorporeal microsurgical repair of injured multiple donor kidney arteries prior to cadaveric allotransplantation

To prevent the complications of ureteral and parenchymal ischemia it is important to revascularize all accessory and main branches of the renal arteries in kidney transplantation. 11 allografts underwent ex vivo microsurgical repair of injured polar arteries prior to allotransplantation, and 1 patient had an in situ repair. Three extracorporeal reconstructive techniques are used that are applicable to most of the vascular injuries presented by multiple renal arteries. These are simple and effective methods that avoid subjecting the allograft to prolonged warm ischemia. There were no operative complications, and only one late arterial stenosis occurred; five transplants currently are functioning. The 1-year graft survival in this group, which is 50%, does not differ significantly from those of all transplants (58%). As a result of our policy, 10.5% more allografts were utilized.