Role of native nephrectomy in renal transplant recipients

Outcome of Kidney Transplant in Patients with Polycystic Kidney Disease: A Single-Center Study in Tunisia

OBJECTIVES

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is a common cause of end-stage renal disease and a common indication for renal transplant. This study was undertaken to evaluate the demographics, outcomes, and complications of renal transplant in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease compared with other nephropathies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a retrospective case-control design, we reviewed the records of 7 patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease from a total of 701 renal transplant patients over a 30-year period (1986-2016). For each patient, a matched control was selected based on sex, age, year of transplant, and type of kidney donor. We excluded patients who underwent kidney transplant abroad and those with a follow-up period of less than 2 years.

RESULTS

The number of patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease requiring transplant at our center was estimated at 0.23 per year, and the condition represented 1.57% of initial nephropathy causes. The mean patient age at transplant was 50.8 ± 8.05 years. There were 5 male and 2 female patients in the case group, with a male-to-female ratio of 2.5. The source of the graft was predominantly a living related donor (5/7). Four patients had extrarenal manifestations, the most common of which were liver cysts (3 patients). Rejection occurred in a single study patient (14.2%) and in 4 control patients (57.1%; P = .51). Two patients did not develop any complications. Complications noted after transplant included infection (3/7 cases vs 2/7 controls; P= .67) and cerebrovascular accidents (2/7 cases vs 0/7 controls).

CONCLUSIONS

Further studies with longer follow-up and greater numbers of patients are needed to compare more precisely the complications and results of transplant between patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease and other kidney transplant recipients.

Comparison of Native Ureteral Ligation and Open Nephrectomy for Pediatric Renal Transplantation

PURPOSE

In pediatric renal transplant recipients there are some indications for native nephrectomy, which can be performed before, during or after transplantation. Indications include massive proteinuria resistant to therapy, intractable hypertension, polyuria and chronic or recurrent kidney infections. Several scientific studies of adults have demonstrated a minimally invasive alternative to native nephrectomy, which consists of ligation of the native ureter without removing the kidney. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of this minimally invasive technique in pediatric recipients of renal transplantation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 29 pediatric kidney transplant recipients underwent unilateral native ureteral ligation during renal transplantation between 2009 and 2013 (group A). In addition, a control group of 21 pediatric renal transplant recipients was enrolled who had undergone unilateral native nephrectomy between January 2005 and December 2008 (group B). Both groups were evaluated preoperatively by Doppler ultrasound of the native kidneys.

RESULTS

Statistical analysis of the 2 groups for the 3 main variables considered (surgical time, intraoperative blood loss and length of surgical scar) revealed a significant difference (Mann-Whitney U test, p <0.001). This finding confirmed the hypothesis that during renal transplantation ligation of the native ureter is less invasive than native nephrectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Ligation of the native ureter without removal of the ipsilateral kidney is a feasible procedure in pediatric renal transplant recipients. This method is easy to perform and significantly less invasive than surgical nephrectomy.

Native nephrectomy in pediatric transplantation--less is more!

OBJECTIVE

Indications for pre-transplantation native nephrectomy (PTNN) include chronic renal parenchymal infection, proteinuria, intractable hypertension, polycystic kidneys and malignancy. Our aim was to establish the frequency and reasons for PTNN in children undergoing renal transplant at our center.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Children listed for renal transplant between 1998 and 2010 who underwent PTNN were analyzed. Etiology of established renal failure, indication for nephrectomy, stage of chronic kidney disease, laterality, complications, and timing of subsequent transplant were determined. Outcome of children, and that of preserved native kidneys following transplant, was reviewed.

RESULTS

21/203 children listed for transplant (10.3%) underwent PTNN (32 nephrectomies). Indications were drug-resistant proteinuria (6 children), recurrent upper tract urosepsis (6), refractory hypertension (4), malignancy/malignant predisposition (4), concomitant procedure during ureterocystoplasty (1). Median age at nephrectomy was 3.3 years; 86% had impaired renal function at time of (first) nephrectomy. Median time until transplantation following bilateral nephrectomy was 1.7 years. 19/21 children have been transplanted; 17 reached stable graft function. Only 2 children who did not undergo PTNN required nephrectomy post-transplant.

CONCLUSION

When malignancies were excluded, PTNN was performed in a minority (8.4%) of children, mainly for proteinuria. This adds great advantage by reducing morbidity. Resulting graft function seems favorable.

Native nephrectomy prior to pediatric kidney transplantation: biological and clinical aspects

BACKGROUND

Pre-transplant nephrectomy is performed to reduce risks to graft and recipient. The aims of this study were to evaluate (1) indications, surgical approach, and morbidity of native nephrectomy and (2) the effects of kidney removal on clinical and biological parameters.

METHODS

This study was designed as a single-center retrospective cohort study in which 49 consecutive patients with uni- or bilateral native nephrectomies were identified from a total of 126 consecutive graft recipients in our pediatric kidney transplantation database between 1992 and 2011. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory details were extracted from charts and electronic records, including operation reports and pre- and post-operative clinic notes.

RESULTS

Of the 49 nephrectomized patients, 47% had anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tract, 22% had cystinosis, 12% had focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, and 6% had congenital nephrotic syndrome. Nephrectomy decisions were based on clinical judgment, taking physiological and psychosocial aspects into consideration. Nephrectomy was performed in patients with polyuria (>2.5 ml/kg/h) and/or large proteinuria (>40 mg/m(2)/h), recurrent urinary tract infection or (rarely) hypertension. Urine output decreased from (median) 3.79 to 2.32 ml/kg/h (-34%), and proteinuria from 157 to 100 mg/m(2)/h (-40%) after unilateral nephrectomy (p=0.005). After bilateral nephrectomy, serum albumin, protein and fibrinogen concentrations normalized in 93, 73, and 55% of nephrectomized patients, respectively. Clinically relevant procedure-related complications (peritoneal laceration, hematoma) occurred in five patients.

CONCLUSION

In summary, we demonstrate quantitatively that native nephrectomy prior to transplantation improved serum protein levels and anticipated post-transplant fluid intake needs in select children, reducing the risk of graft hypoperfusion and its postulated consequences for graft outcome.

Strategies to treat children with end-stage renal dysfunction and severe lower urinary tract anomalies for receiving a kidney transplant

Dealing with children with bladder dysfunction and kidney transplant is certainly not a new issue. Nevertheless, it is still a matter of discussion and dilemma, based on few, not standardized, institutional center experiences. The authors perform a review of the techniques employed to restore the bladder condition in terms of storage and drainage of urine to receive a kidney transplant in a safer condition. Aspects of the etiology and the way of evaluation of such a group of patients are discussed. The strategies and individualized therapeutic options are presented and compared with the author's experience based upon 25 children with urinary anomalies who received 28 kidney transplants. Nevertheless, the number of complications, mainly UTI, graft and patient survival rates are equivalent to the group of children with non-urological causes of ESRD. Patients with severe lower urinary tract abnormalities and ESRD may receive a kidney transplant with comparable success.

Comparison of renal transplantation outcomes in children with and without bladder dysfunction. A customized approach equals the difference

PURPOSE

We examined the development of urological abnormalities in a group of pediatric renal transplant recipients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed 211 patients younger than 19 years who underwent 226 renal transplants. Three groups of patients were studied-136 children with end stage renal disease due to a nonurological cause (group 1), 56 children with a urological disorder but with an adequate bladder (group 2a) and 19 children with lower urinary tract dysfunction and/or inadequate bladder drainage (group 2b). A total of 15 children in group 2b underwent bladder augmentation (ureterocystoplasty in 6, enterocystoplasty in 9), 2 underwent continent urinary diversion, 1 underwent autoaugmentation and 1 underwent a Mitrofanoff procedure at the bladder for easier drainage. Kidney transplantation was performed in the classic manner by extraperitoneal access, and whenever possible the ureter was reimplanted using an antireflux procedure.

RESULTS

At a mean followup of 75 months 13 children had died, 59 grafts were lost and 15 children had received a second transplant. Two patients in group 2a required a complementary urological procedure to preserve renal function (1 enterocystoplasty, 1 vesicostomy). A total of 12 major surgical complications occurred in 226 kidney transplants (5.3%), with a similar incidence in all groups. The overall graft survival at 5 years was 75%, 74% and 84%, respectively, in groups 1, 2a and 2b.

CONCLUSIONS

With individualized treatment children with severely inferior lower urinary tract function may undergo renal transplantation with a safe and adequate outcome.

Clinical and urodynamic evaluation after ureterocystoplasty and kidney transplantation

PURPOSE

We assessed clinical and surgical results in renal transplantation candidates with voiding dysfunction and end stage renal disease who underwent bladder augmentation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed 8 patients 3 to 30 years old with dilated ureters, voiding dysfunction and end stage renal disease who underwent renal transplantation following bladder augmentation from 1995 to 2003. The etiology of bladder dysfunction was neurogenic bladder in 3 patients, posterior urethral valves in 3 and vesicoureteral reflux in 2. All cases were assessed by ultrasonography, voiding cystourethrography and urodynamic studies.

RESULTS

Mean followup was 50 months (range 4 to 93). Previous urodynamic evaluation revealed a bladder capacity of 75 to 294 ml (mean +/- SD 167.38 +/- 77.32) and an intravesical pressure of 28 to 100 mm H2O (mean 51.25 +/- 22.17). Urodynamic study after augmentation and kidney transplantation showed a bladder capacity of 191 to 400 ml (mean 335.25 +/- 99.01) and an intravesical pressure of 15 to 35 mm H2O (mean 28 +/- 9.45). Mean serum creatinine was 1.65 mg/dl (range 0.8 to 2.5). All patients remained continent. Three patients with neurogenic bladder empty the bladder by clean intermittent catheterization and the others empty by the Valsalva maneuver. None of the grafts were lost and the most common complication was asymptomatic urinary tract infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Bladder augmentation is a well-known procedure for low capacity and poorly compliant bladders even in candidates for a renal transplant. Ureterocystoplasty combines the benefits common to all enterocystoplasties without adding to complications or risks.

Current status of kidney transplant: update 2003

Pediatric transplantation has seen remarkable advances over the past two decades with reduced morbidity and mortality, reduced rejection rates, and improved long-term patient and allograft survival. Infants currently have short-term patient and allograft survival rates better than any other age group; short-term allograft survival rates in CD recipients are equal to those in LD recipients. With decreased rejection, long-term allograft survival is improving dramatically. Transplantation allows for much reduced risks and improved metabolic status, growth and development, and more normal social interactions. The future of transplantation continues to be exciting, with opportunities for reduced immunosuppressive medications and their side effects, and the elusive goal of transplantation tolerance seems within reach.