The Effect of Recipient Back-Table Duration on Graft Outcome of Deceased Donor Kidneys: A Single-Center Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Little is known about the influence of the duration of the kidney back-table preparation period and kidney temperature on graft outcomes after transplantation. The aim of this study is to investigate the back-table duration and its relation to graft outcome and the relation between kidney temperature and graft outcome. In this prospective cohort study, deceased donor kidney temperature is measured at fixed time points using an infrared thermometer during back-table preparation and transplantation. Additionally, the back-table duration is measured using a timer. Between September 2020 and July 2021, 49 kidneys were prospectively included in this study. Median back-table duration was 33.7 (standard deviation ± 14.1) min and donor kidney temperature increased up to 14.9 °C (±2.8) after 60 min of back-table preparation. Mean implantation time was 24.9 (±7.6) min and kidney temperature increased up to 25.9 °C (±2.4) after 30 min of implantation time. Longer back-table duration was significantly associated with higher rates of delayed graft function (p = 0.037). However, this observation did not sustain at 3 and 6-months post-transplantation. No association was found between kidney temperature and graft outcomes. Longer back-table duration is significantly associated with DGF after deceased donor kidney transplantation. No association was observed between kidney temperature and graft outcomes of deceased donor kidneys.