Ureteral complications after renal transplantation: review of preventive measures

Effects of ureteral stent on urologic complications in renal transplant recipients: a retrospective study

The aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of ureteral stents used in renal transplantation on urologic as well as other complications. Cases of renal transplants from living or deceased donors performed in our hospital were retrospectively evaluated. The effects of the routine use of ureteral stents on postoperative complications were investigated. All outcomes and complications encountered during the postoperative follow-up were recorded. The Lich-Gregoire technique, which is a method of extravesical ureteroneocystostomy, was performed on all patients. One hundred and twenty-two patients underwent renal transplantation between 2001 and 2007 in our hospital. Stents were placed routinely in all patients. Leakage was observed in one patient, and one patient developed an obstruction; however, none of the patients developed an infection. A lymphocele developed in one patient. All urologic complications were treated without major morbidity. Graft loss did not occur. Complications following urinary anastomosis have a high rate of morbidity in renal transplantation. Ureteral stenting in renal transplant recipients prevents early urologic complications. The data generated in the current study were compared to the literature.

Urological complications in 980 consecutive patients with renal transplantation

AIM

To present the urological complications of renal transplantations performed in the last 14 years at one center and to briefly explain a modified method of Lich-Gregoir ureteroneocystostomy.

METHODS

The data of 980 patients receiving kidney transplants at the authors' institution from April 1991 to February 2004 were reviewed in a retrospective prospective study. In particular, surgical techniques and urological complications were noted.

RESULTS

A total of 980 patients had received kidney transplantation. Extravesical ureteroneocystostomy (Lich-Gregoir method) was used in the first 480 patients (group A). In the subsequent 500 patients, the authors' modified method of extravesical ureteroneocystostomy, using single layer anastomosis and small feeding tubes as stent, was used (group B). Overall urological complication rate was 2.8% (28 patients), including leakage (13 patients, 1.3%), stenosis (seven, 0.7%), obstruction (one, 0.1%), distal ureter necrosis (four, 0.4%), pelvocalyceal fistula (two, 0.2%) and implantation of ureter into the peritoneum (one, 0.1%). Urological complications were significantly more common in group A compared to group B (16, 3.3% and 9, 1.8%, respectively; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Preserving the adventitia, fat and blood supply of the ureter by delicate dissection of the ureter during donor nephrectomy, short ureters, and fixation of the adventitia, fat and blood supply of the ureter to the bladder wall, to prevent kinking or twisting, are important factors in decreasing urological complications. Additionally, the authors' method of ureteroneocystostomy is also effective in decreasing the incidence of ureteric complications.

Comparing Taguchi and anterior Lich-Gregoir ureterovesical reimplantation techniques for kidney transplantation

Urologic complications are common in renal transplant surgery. Numerous innovations have been developed to circumvent ureterovesical anastomotic failure. In addition to the popular modified Lich-Gregoir technique, we evaluated Taguchi's method which is both quick and easy to perform. One hundred forty four patients were prospectively compared using Taguchi (n = 44) or the modified Lich-Gregoir (n = 100) for anastomotic time, which differed significantly (10.2 minutes for Taguchi, vs. 24.6 minutes to Lich-Gregoir; P < .005). Minor complications, however, were less among Lich-Gregoir patients (P < .02). We concluded to continue using the modified Lich-Gregoir ureteroneocystostomy despite taking longer time to perform.

Stented versus nonstented extravesical ureteroneocystostomy in renal transplantation: a metaanalysis

Stenting of the extravesical ureteroneocystostomy in renal transplantation is controversial. This study is a metaanalysis of 49 published studies over 30 years time in which the extravesical technique was used. Stented and nonstented anastomoses were compared. One-hundred six articles published between 1973 and 2002 were reviewed and 49 met criteria for inclusion. Articles were required to list original, numeric, previously unpublished data and to report or to describe the use of an extravesical ureteroneocystostomy, with or without stent. Data were analyzed within separate groups, (1) randomized, controlled trials and (2) case series. Data were included from five randomized, controlled trials and 44 case series. In the controlled trials group, there were urologic complications in 6 of 407 stented (1.5%), and 35 of 389 nonstented subjects (9.0%) (p < 0.0001, OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.10-0.57). In the case-series group, there were urologic complications in 137 of 4245 stented (3.2%) and 433 of 9077 nonstented subjects (4.8%) (p = 0.007, OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.39-0.86). Renal transplants with stented extravesical ureteroneocystostomy have a significantly lower urologic complication rate than those with nonstented anastomoses. All five randomized, controlled trials individually found stented anastomoses to have a lower complication rate and this was confirmed by metaanalysis of these trials and of case-series data.

[Surgical techniques in renal transplantation]

Surgical techniques in renal transplantation are standardized and have remained basically unchanged for the last 50 years. A limited pool of donor organs is still an unsolved problem. Therefore, marginal organs are also used. Sophisticated techniques are used in children and in cases with vascular problems or complications. Laparoscopic techniques are emerging in renal transplantation. The article provides an overview on current technical standards of renal transplantation and potential surgical and urological complications. We report the results of our own renal transplantation program with special emphasis on vascular techniques, pediatric transplantation, and the management of complications. Special case reports are included.

Comparing Taguchi and Lich-Gregoir ureterovesical reimplantation techniques for kidney transplants

PURPOSE

We compared the incidence of urological and anastomotic complications, and the duration of ureteral reimplantation for the Taguchi and Lich-Gregoir techniques.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We recorded all urological and anastomotic complications that developed from the date of transplantation through December 31, 2001. The cutoff date for transplantation was August 30, 2000. The urological complications evaluated included complicated hematuria, urinary fistula, ureteral stenosis, symptomatic vesicoureteral reflux and operative time. The chi-square test was done to compare the proportion of complications in the groups and the Mann Whitney test was used to compare the duration of ureteral reimplantation.

RESULTS

Of the 575 transplants evaluated 416 and 159 were performed via the Lich-Gregoir and Taguchi techniques, respectively. The incidence of anastomotic complications was 10.7%. Complications in the Lich-Gregoir group included fistula in 4.7% of cases, stenosis in 4.1%, symptomatic vesicoureteral reflux in 1.9% and complicated hematuria in 0.5%. Complications in the Taguchi group included urinary fistula in 6.3% of cases, stenosis in 2.5% and complicated hematuria in 2.5%. Symptomatic reflux was not observed in this group. There was a higher proportion of hematuria at the limit of statistical significance in the Taguchi group (p = 0.05). There were a higher number of urological complications in transplants from live donors in the Lich-Gregoir group (p = 0.01), mostly involving fistula (p = 0.05). There were no significant differences in the groups in overall complications. Average operative time for the Taguchi and Lich-Gregoir techniques was 14.2 and 29 minutes, respectively. This difference was significant (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

In the sample studied Taguchi ureterocystoneostomy proved to be a more rapid method without increasing the incidence of urological or anastomotic complications. There were no cases of symptomatic reflux in the Taguchi group and select fistula cases could be managed conservatively. The Lich-Gregoir cohort was at greater risk for the urological complications of live donor transplantation. The Taguchi method has become the ureterovesical reimplantation technique of choice in our setting.

Urological complications after living-donor renal transplantation

OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence and management of urological complications after 1200 consecutive live-donor renal transplantations, all of which were carried out in one centre; the possible risk factors and the effect on patient and graft survival were also assessed.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data were retrieved from an electronic database; the incidence of urological complications was determined, and correlated with relevant risk factors by univariate and multivariate analysis. The effect on patient and graft survival was assessed using Kaplan-Meier statistics.

RESULTS

There were 100 complications in 96 patients (8%); urinary leaks occurred in 37, ureteric strictures in 23 and lymphoceles causing ureteric obstruction in 17. Percutaneous needle biopsy was complicated by haematuria and clot anuria in six patients. Late complications included 11 cases of stones, four of bladder malignancy and two of haemorrhagic cystitis. There was evidence that the age of the recipients (< 10 years), method of establishing urinary continuity (uretero-ureteric anastomosis) and a high dose of steroids had an independent positive effect on the incidence of urological complications. However, their development did not influence graft or patient survival.

CONCLUSION

When there is meticulous attention to the technical details, renal transplantation should incur few urological complications. Early intervention with percutaneous drainage reduces morbidity and the likelihood loss of graft function. Proper and prompt management should not affect the graft and/or the patient's survival.

Is routine ureteric stenting needed in kidney transplantation? A randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Whether routine ureteric stenting in low-urological-risk patients reduces the risk of urological complications in kidney transplantation is not established.

METHODS

Eligible patients were recipients of single-organ renal transplants with normal lower urinary tracts. Patients were randomized intraoperatively to receive either routine stenting or stenting only in the event of technical difficulties with the anastomosis. All patients underwent Lich-Gregoire ureteroneocystostomy.

RESULTS

Between June 1994 and December 1997, 331 kidney transplants were performed at a single center, 305 patients were eligible, and 280 patients were enrolled and randomized. Donor and recipient age, sex, donor source, whether first or subsequent grafts, ureteric length, native renal disease, and immunosuppression were similar in each group. In the no-routine-stenting group 6 of 137 patients (4.4%) received stents after randomization for intraoperative events that in the surgeon's opinion required use of a stent. In an intention-to-treat analysis there was no difference between groups in the primary outcome cluster of obstruction or leak [routine stenting 5 of 143 (3.5%) vs. no routine stenting 9 of 137 (6.6%); P=0.23], or in either of these complications analyzed separately. All urological complications were successfully managed without major morbidity. Living donor organs and shorter ureteric length (after trimming) were univariate risk factors for leaks, although increasing donor age was associated with obstruction.

CONCLUSIONS

Routine ureteric stenting is unnecessary in kidney transplantation in patients at low risk for urological complications. Careful surgical technique with selective stenting of problematic anastomoses yields similar results.