Effect of Betadine on Lymphocele Formation During Kidney Transplantation Surgery

Abstract

Background: Lymphocele formation post-renal transplantation surgery can cause various complications such as pelvic pain, frequent urination, hydronephrosis, deep vein thrombosis, etc. It is, therefore, necessary to prevent and treat lymphocele. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of rinsing the surgical site with betadine (povidone-iodine 2%) on the prevention of lymphocele formation during kidney transplantation surgery. Methods: This case-control study was conducted at Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2019. The study population consisted of 60 kidney transplant patients referred to Sina Hospital, located in Tehran, who were randomized into two groups of study and control by simple randomization using a computer-generated random list. The surgical site of one group (control group: 30 patients) was washed with povidone-iodine 2%, but this operation was not performed for the patients of the other group (control group: 30 patients). One month after the surgery, patients were monitored for lymphocele via ultrasound, and their sera’s creatinine level was measured to assess renal function. For all statistical interpretations, P < 0.05 value was accepted as being significant. Statistical analyses were performed with statistical software package SPSS version 23. Results: Results: The mean serum creatinine level of patients in the case group was 2.50 ± 1.78, and in the control group was 2.31 ± 1.89. Ultrasound performed one-month post-renal transplant showed the presence of lymphocele in 17 patients out of the total 30 in the study group, while the control group had only 12. Conclusions: It seems that the use of betadine during kidney transplant surgery does not prevent the formation of lymphocele after the surgery