Simultaneous ipsilateral nephrectomy during kidney transplantation in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: a matched pair analysis of 193 consecutive cases

Native nephrectomy in polycystic kidney disease patients on transplant lists: how and when?

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), the most common hereditary kidney disease, accounts for approximately 10% of the patients on kidney transplantation waitlists. High rates of complications including hemorrhage, infections, nephrolithiasis and kidney size-related compressive complaints have been reported among ADPKD patients. Therefore, the need for routine native nephrectomy and timing of such procedure in ADPKD patients being prepared for transplantation are debated. Even though pre-transplant nephrectomy has the potential to provide fewer infectious complications due to lack of immunosuppressive medication use, such procedure has been associated with longer hospital stay, loss of residual kidney function and need for dialysis. Although simultaneous nephrectomy and transplantation could potentially lead to longer perioperative duration, perioperative complications and need for blood transfusions, this was not confirmed in cohort studies. Therefore, some institutions routinely perform simultaneous unilateral nephrectomy and kidney transplantation. In this narrative review, our aim is to evaluate the current evidence regarding the need and timing of nephrectomy in ADPKD patients in relation to kidney transplantation.

Surgical Management of Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease: Principles and Current Practice

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is the third most common cause of renal failure with no definitive treatment available that can directly target the development and growth of the cysts. Endeavours are being made to retard the growth of the cysts and preservation of renal function through medical treatment. However, 50% of the autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease-affected persons develop complications and end-stage renal disease by the age of fifty-five and need surgical intervention for the management of complications, creation of dialysis access and renal transplantation. This review highlights the principles and current practice pertinent to the surgical management of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

Keywords

polycystic kidney disease; nephrectomy; transplantation.

The Need for Routine Native Nephrectomy in the Workup for Kidney Transplantation in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease Patients

INTRODUCTION

There is no consensus if nor when a native nephrectomy should be performed in the workup for kidney transplantation in ADPKD patients. In our PKD Expertise Center, a restrictive approach is pursued in which nephrectomy is performed only in patients with severe complaints, i.e., in case of serious volume-related complaints, lack of space for the allograft, recurrent cyst infections, persistent cyst bleedings, or chronic refractory pain. We analyzed in a retrospective cohort study whether this approach is justified.

METHODS

All ADPKD patients who received kidney transplantation between January 2000 and January 2019 were reviewed. Patients were subdivided into three groups: no nephrectomy (no-Nx), nephrectomy performed before (pre-Tx), or after kidney transplantation (post-Tx). Simultaneous nephrectomy together with transplantation were not performed in our center.

RESULTS

391 patients (54 ± 9 years, 55% male) were included. The majority of patients did not undergo a nephrectomy (n = 257, 65.7%). A nephrectomy was performed pre-Tx in 114 patients (29.2%). After Tx, nephrectomy was performed in only 30 patients (7.7%, median 4.4 years post-Tx). Surgery-related complication rates did not differ between both groups (38.3% pre-Tx vs. 27.0% post-Tx, p = 0.2), nor were there any differences in 10-year patient survival (74.4% pre-Tx vs. 80.7% post-Tx vs. 67.6% no-Nx, p = 0.4), as well as in 10-year death-censored graft survival (84.4% pre-Tx vs. 85.5% post-Tx vs. 90.0% no-Nx, p = 0.9).

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates that with a restrictive nephrectomy policy in the workup for kidney transplantation, only a part of ADPKD patients need a native nephrectomy.

Native nephrectomy and arterial embolization of native kidney in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease patients: indications, timing and postoperative outcomes

INTRODUCTION

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is one of the most common causes of a need of renal replacement therapy. The need (elective vs. systematic) and timing of native kidney nephrectomy (before, after or during kidney transplantation) is a matter of debate and alternatives to surgery, mainly transcatheter arterial embolization have been explored. We performed a systematic review to report all available evidence on postintervention outcomes of native nephrectomy and arterial embolization in ADPKD patients.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A search on Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases was performed to identify all studies reporting outcomes of native nephrectomy or arterial embolization in APKDs.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Concerning native nephrectomy, a total of 3626 patients in 37 studies were included with 735, 210 and 2681 patients who underwent native nephrectomy respectively before, after or during kidney transplantation. Major complications were 12.2% in unilateral nephrectomy before transplantation, 25.0% in bilateral nephrectomy before transplantation, 17.7% in unilateral nephrectomy during transplantation, 20.8% in bilateral nephrectomy during transplantation and 23.8% in unilateral and bilateral nephrectomy after transplantation. A total of 230 patients in 7 series of arterial embolization were included. All arterial embolization were performed before transplantation. Mean volume reduction ranged from 36.3% at 3 months to 49% at 6 months. The major postintervention complication rate was 1%.

CONCLUSIONS

Unilateral native nephrectomy before kidney transplantation was associated with the lowest major postoperative complication rate and appears to be the preferred strategy. Arterial embolization reduces kidney volume by 49% at 6 months. Arterial embolization could be considered when the reduction in size of the native kidney is not urgent.

Simultaneous kidney transplantation and ipsilateral native nephrectomy in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

The simultaneous kidney transplantation and ipsilateral native nephrectomy for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease does not seem to be associated with increased rates of comorbidity and complications. This outcome can efficiently be achieved when the indication and surgical approach of native nephrectomy are properly justified.

Experiences and Short-Term Outcomes of Kidney Transplantation During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic From a Medium-Volume Transplantation and Superregional Coronavirus Disease 2019 Treatment Center

Introduction

The coronavirus, which first appeared in 2019, developed into a pandemic during 2020. It remains unclear to what extent the pandemic endangers the safety of kidney transplantation programs. In this study, we evaluated the short-term outcomes of our patients receiving a kidney transplant during the first phase and compared them with patients who received a kidney transplant immediately before the coronavirus pandemic.

Materials and Methods

Our retrospective study includes 34 kidney transplant recipients between October 1, 2019, and April 30, 2020. Nineteen patients from the phase immediately prior to the first coronavirus wave (pre-corona group), and 15 patients from the phase of the first coronavirus wave (corona group) were studied. We retrospectively evaluated demographic data, postoperative short-term outcomes and complications, immunosuppression regime, coronavirus infection status, and behavior during the first phase of the pandemic.

Results

There were no differences between the 2 groups regarding short-term outcomes and postoperative complications or in immunosuppressive medication. After the introduction of intensified hygienic conditions and routine swabs prior to transplantation, no nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 infections occurred. In the outpatient setting, none of the patients developed a SARS-CoV-2 infection. The majority of patients performed voluntary quarantine.

Conclusions

The short-term outcomes after kidney transplantation during the first phase of the coronavirus pandemic were comparable to pre-pandemic patients, and no SARS-CoV-2-associated death or transplant failure occurred in our small cohort. We considered patient compliance with hygiene and self-isolation measures very high. Nevertheless, in further phases of the pandemic, the continuation of the living kidney donation program must be critically evaluated.