Short-term evaluation of renal transplantation complications: A single institute experience

Abstract

Background: Renal Transplant remains one of the pioneer branches of solid organ transplant and surgical complications can affect the outcome. Aims: To find out the incidence of surgical complications in Renal Transplant Recipients, their outcome, to compare it with contemporary studies and suggest remedial measures. Settings and Design: Prospective non-randomized observational study was conducted at tertiary centre. Materials and Methods: All patients who underwent live related or deceased donor transplant over 2 years were recruited. All relevant data was collected. Statistical Analysis: Data were collected and put in a master chart in Microsoft Excel© format and statistical analysis was done using SPSS 17 software®. Student's t-test was used to compare data with published contemporary series and P value was calculated. Results: One hundred and forty-five cases including 31 (21%) deceased donor recipients were studied. Eleven (7.58%) had surgical complications. Two with arterial complications required graft nephrectomies and one with renal artery stenosis stented successfully. Higher incidence of arterial complications (2.06%) was noted as compared to contemporary studies (0.69%–1.3%) (P > 0.05) with higher incidence (3.2%) in deceased Donor recipients. No venous complications recorded (contemporary studies 0.15%–0.55% incidence). One (0.68%) Ureteric stricture was reported, comparable to contemporary studies (0.27%–0.54%) (P > 0.05) and managed endoscopically. No uretric-vesical anastamosis leak recorded (contemporary studies 0%–0.97% incidence). Four (2.75%) had lymphorea, (three deceased, one live donor) requiring betadine instillation, significantly lower than contemporary studies (7.14%–23%) (P < 0.05). Two (1.4%) had surgical site infection requiring secondary suturing, significantly lower than contemporary studies (3.2%–15%) (<0.05). One (0.68%) had stricture urethra managed conservatively, comparable to contemporary studies (0.83%–1.18%). Conclusion: Overall incidence of surgical complications is reducing. Complication rates are higher in deceased donor recipients.