Complications of gallstone disease in kidney transplantation patients

Silent gallbladder stone in kidney transplantation recipients: should it be treated? a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Treatment and follow-up strategies for silent gallbladder stones in patients before kidney transplantation (KT) remain unknown. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the role of pre-KT cholecystectomy in preventing biliary and surgical complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study retrospectively analyzed 2,295 KT recipients and 3,443 patients waiting for KT at a single tertiary center from January 2005 to July 2022. The primary outcomes were the incidences of biliary and post-cholecystectomy complications in KT recipients. Firth's logistic regression model was used to assess the risk factors for biliary complications.

RESULTS

Overall, 543 patients awaiting KT and 230 KT recipients were found to have biliary stones. Among the KT recipients, 16 (7%) underwent cholecystectomy before KT, while others chose to observe their biliary stones. Pre-KT cholecystectomy patients did not experience any biliary complications, and 20 (9.3%) patients who chose to observe their stones experienced complications. Those who underwent cholecystectomy before KT developed fewer post-cholecystectomy complications (6.3%) compared with those who underwent cholecystectomy after KT (38.8%, P=0.042), including reduced occurrences of fatal postoperative complications based on the Clavien-Dindo classification. Multiple stones (odds ratio [OR], 3.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-8.90; P=0.036), thickening of the gallbladder wall (OR, 5.39; 95% CI, 1.65-17.63; P=0.005), and gallstones>1 cm in size (OR 5.12, 95% CI: 1.92-13.69, P=0.001) were independent risk factors for biliary complications. Among patients awaiting KT, 23 (4.2%) underwent cholecystectomy during the follow-up, resulting in one post-cholecystectomy complication.

CONCLUSION

Gallstone-related biliary complications following KT and subsequent cholecystectomy was associated with more serious complications and worse treatment outcomes. Therefore, when KT candidates had risk factor for biliary complications, preemptive cholecystectomy for asymptomatic cholecystolithiasis could be considered to reduce further surgical risk.

Incidence and Mortality of Emergency General Surgery Conditions Among Solid Organ Transplant Recipients in Ontario, Canada: A Population-based Analysis

BACKGROUND

Emergency general surgery (EGS) conditions and their outcomes are perceived to be disproportionately high among solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs). However, this has not been adequately investigated at a population level. We characterized the incidence and mortality of EGS conditions among SOTRs compared with nontransplant patients.

METHODS

Data were collected through linked administrative population-based databases in Ontario, Canada. We included all adult SOTRs (kidney, liver, heart, and lung) who underwent transplantation between 2002 and 2017. We then identified posttransplantation emergency department visits for EGS conditions (appendicitis, cholecystitis, choledocolithiasis, perforated diverticulitis, incarcerated/strangulated hernias, small bowel obstruction, and perforated peptic ulcer). Age-, sex-, and year-standardized incidence rate ratios (SIRRs) were generated. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate association between transplantation status and 30 d mortality after adjusting for demographics, year, and comorbidities.

RESULTS

Ten thousand seventy-three SOTRs and 12 608 135 persons were analyzed. SOTRs developed 881 EGS conditions (non-SOTRs: 552 194 events). The incidence of all EGS conditions among SOTR was significantly higher compared with the nontransplant patients [SIRR 3.56 (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.32-3.82)], even among those with high Aggregated Diagnosis Groups scores ( > 10) [SIRR 2.76 (95% CI 2.53-3.00)]. SOTRs were 1.4 times more likely to die at 30 d [adjusted odds ratio 1.44 (95% CI 1.08-1.91)] after an EGS event compared with nontransplant patients, predominantly amongst lung transplant recipients [adjusted odds ratio 3.28 (95% CI 1.72-6.24)].

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of EGS conditions is significantly higher in SOTRs even after stratifying by comorbidity burden. This is of particular importance as SOTRs also have a higher likelihood of death after an EGS condition, especially lung transplant recipients.

Cholecystectomy-Associated Complications in Kidney Transplant Recipients Compared With the General Population

Cholelithiasis is one of the most prevalent diseases in the general population. Among kidney transplant (KT) recipients, atypical clinical presentation may delay the diagnosis and proper treatment. This single-center retrospective cohort study compared cholelithiasis clinical presentation and cholecystectomy-associated complications in 230 KT recipients and in 172 members of the general population. KT recipients had a higher proportion of men, comorbidities, biliary pancreatitis, choledocholithiasis, and acute cholecystitis clinical presentations than the general population. KT recipients presented higher American Society of Anesthesiologists scores and higher rates of emergency surgeries (15.7% vs 9.9%, P = .091), conversion (5.7% vs 1.2%, P = .019), drainage (7.8% vs 2.3%, P = .016), postoperative complications (10% vs 4.7%, P = .047), and longer hospital length of stay (1 vs 1 days, interquartile range, 2 vs 0 days; P < .001). There were 5 deaths, all of which occurred in KT recipients. History of diabetes mellitus, renal function, and surgical conversion were independent risk factors associated with postoperative complications. Male sex and level of renal function were independent risk factors associated with postoperative acute cholecystitis. KT was an independent risk factor associated with postoperative choledocholithiasis (adjusted odds ratio, 5.89; 95% confidence interval, 3.03-15.66) and pancreatitis (adjusted odds ratio, 6.89; 95% confidence interval, 2.99-11.61). In conclusion, KT recipients with cholelithiasis have an increased risk for clinical and surgical complications compared with the general population.

Kidney and pancreas transplant recipients undergoing cholecystectomy experience superior outcomes in transplant centers

BACKGROUND

This retrospective analysis aims to identify differences in surgical outcomes between pancreas and/or kidney transplant recipients and the general population undergoing cholecystectomy.

METHODS

Multivariate logistic regression and linear regression tests computed odds ratios (OR) and coefficients of the linear regression by analyzing weighted data from the NIS database between 2005 and 2014 to identify differences in mortality, morbidity, length of stay (LOS) and costs amongst KTx, PTx, PKTx, and non-Tx undergoing cholecystectomy in all centers and transplant centers.

RESULTS

Overall 6007 KTx, 164 PTx, 535 PKTx, and 4,207,241 non-Tx met the inclusion criteria. Mortality from cholecystectomy was 1.0%. Transplant recipients did not experience a significant increase in mortality. However KTx and PTx suffered increased morbidity risks (KTx OR1.244 p < 0.01; PTx OR2.165 p < 0.01) compared to non-Tx. However transplant recipients did not incur an increased morbidity risk in transplant centers.

CONCLUSION

Transplant recipients undergoing cholecystectomy should be counseled about their increased complication risks. Surgeons should consider transferring KTx and PTx to transplant centers for their cholecystectomy procedure to mitigate these risks.

KDIGO Clinical Practice Guideline on the Evaluation and Management of Candidates for Kidney Transplantation

The 2020 Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Clinical Practice Guideline on the Evaluation and Management of Candidates for Kidney Transplantation is intended to assist health care professionals worldwide who evaluate and manage potential candidates for deceased or living donor kidney transplantation. This guideline addresses general candidacy issues such as access to transplantation, patient demographic and health status factors, and immunological and psychosocial assessment. The roles of various risk factors and comorbid conditions governing an individual's suitability for transplantation such as adherence, tobacco use, diabetes, obesity, perioperative issues, causes of kidney failure, infections, malignancy, pulmonary disease, cardiac and peripheral arterial disease, neurologic disease, gastrointestinal and liver disease, hematologic disease, and bone and mineral disorder are also addressed. This guideline provides recommendations for evaluation of individual aspects of a candidate's profile such that each risk factor and comorbidity are considered separately. The goal is to assist the clinical team to assimilate all data relevant to an individual, consider this within their local health context, and make an overall judgment on candidacy for transplantation. The guideline development process followed the Grades of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Guideline recommendations are primarily based on systematic reviews of relevant studies and our assessment of the quality of that evidence, and the strengths of recommendations are provided. Limitations of the evidence are discussed with differences from previous guidelines noted and suggestions for future research are also provided.

Acute Care Surgery for Transplant Recipients: A National Survey of Surgeon Perspectives and Practices

BACKGROUND

Transplant recipients are living longer than ever before, and occasionally require acute care surgery for nontransplant-related issues. We hypothesized that while both acute care surgeons (ACS) and transplant surgeons would feel comfortable operating on this unique patient population, both would believe transplant centers provide superior care.

METHODS

To characterize surgeon perspectives, we conducted a national survey of ACS and transplant surgeons. Surgeon- and center-specific demographics were collected; surgeon preferences were compared using χ2, Fisher's exact, and Kruskal-Wallis tests.

RESULTS

We obtained 230 responses from ACS and 204 from transplant surgeons. ACS and transplant surgeons believed care is better at transplant centers (78% and 100%), and transplant recipients requiring acute care surgery should be transferred to a transplant center (80.2% and 87.2%). ACS felt comfortable operating (97.5%) and performing laparoscopy (94.0%) on transplant recipients. ACS cited transplant medication use as the most important underlying cause of increased surgical complications for transplant recipients. Transplant surgeons felt it was their responsibility to perform acute care surgery on transplant recipients (67.3%), but less so if patient underwent transplant at a different institution (26.5%). Transplant surgeons cited poor transplanted organ resiliency as the most important underlying cause of increased surgical complications for transplant recipients.

CONCLUSIONS

ACS and transplant surgeons feel comfortable performing laparoscopic and open acute care surgery on transplant recipients, and recommend treating transplant recipients at transplant centers, despite the lack of supportive evidence. Elucidating common goals allows surgeons to provide optimal care for this unique patient population.

Gallbladder Pathologies in Kidney Transplant Recipients: Single-Center Experience and a Review of the Literature

Background

In patients with end-stage renal disease, cholelithiasis is observed with an increased frequency. In transplant recipients, symptoms might be obscured, which may delay the diagnosis and lead to complications. The aim of our study was to evaluate the frequency of gallbladder pathologies in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) in the Caucasian population, and to discuss the potential benefits of prophylactic cholecystectomy before kidney transplantation (KT).

Material/Methods

Data from 434 patients who underwent KT was analyzed. Demographic data along with gallbladder status were collected from the pre-transplantation charts. We compared our results to data from the general Polish population.

Results

In our analyzed group of KTRs, there were 284 men and 150 women. Complete data, including abdominal ultrasound description, were available in 412 cases. In this group, 36 patients (8.74%) underwent cholecystectomy before KT. Other gallbladder pathologies (gallstones and polyps) were found in 41 patients (9.95%) at pre-transplantation evaluation. The incidence of gallbladder pathologies in KTRs, being mostly cholelithiasis, was higher than in the general Polish population.

Conclusions

In specific age subgroups of KTRs, the frequency of gallbladder pathologies was higher than in the general population. Prophylactic cholecystectomy may potentially offer benefits in these subgroups of patients.

Complications, length of stay, and cost of cholecystectomy in kidney transplant recipients

We hypothesized that cholecystectomy may be riskier for kidney transplant recipients (KTR) given their lifelong immunosuppression, physiologic impact of renal failure, and increased risk of gallstone and biliary disease. Using NIS, we compared mortality, morbidity, length of stay and cost in KTR vs non-KTR following cholecystectomy in the US from 2000 to 2011, adjusting for patient and hospital level factors, including transplant center status. Mortality was higher (OR 2.4), morbidity was higher (OR 1.3), LOS was longer (ratio 1.2), and costs were greater (ratio 1.1) for KTR compared to non-KTR following cholecystectomy. While it is clear that KTR are a high risk group following cholecystectomy, the cause of this increased risk requires further investigation.

Immunosuppressants and new onset gallstone disease in patients having undergone renal transplantation

BACKGROUND

There are very few reports describing the development of gallstone disease after renal transplantation (GSDART) in Asia. The aim of this population-based study was to explore the prevalence, predictive factors, and outcomes of newly developed GSDART. The relationship between immunosuppressant and GSDART was also explored.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Renal transplantation (RT) recipients were identified from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan during January 1998-December 2012. In total, 2,630 adult patients, who had neither been diagnosed with gallstone disease (GSD) nor undergone cholecystectomy, were included in this study. These patients underwent follow-up till the diagnosis of GSDART was established. Risk factors and post-RT immunosuppressant treatments were investigated and analyzed using Cox regression analysis. The cumulative mortality in patients with and without GSDART was also evaluated.

RESULTS

The final dataset comprised 143 patients who developed GSDART and 2,487 patients who had not been diagnosed with GSDART during the follow-up period. The prevalence of GSDART was 5.4%. On performing univariate analysis, age (p=0.0276) and certain immunosuppressant administrations were identified as significant risk factors for GSDART. After adjusting for age, multivariable analysis showed that everolimus (adjusted hazard ratio 0.287, p=0.0013) was independently associated with the development of GSDART. The overall mortality rate (6.99%, p=0.0341) was significantly decreased in the GSDART group.

CONCLUSION

Increased age was the most consistent risk factor for GSD, and everolimus-based immunotherapy indicated a decreased incidence of GSDART in RT recipients. The long-term mortality rate was significantly decreased in patients with GSDART.

Cholecystectomy for Acute Cholecystitis After Renal Transplantation

BACKGROUND

The aim of our study was to evaluate the rate of surgical complications, patient outcomes, and impact on graft function in renal transplant recipients in whom cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis was performed.

METHODS

We reviewed data on transplant patients from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2013. The subgroup of patients who required subsequent cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis was assessed, and their data were further analyzed.

RESULTS

Thirty-one patients who underwent cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis after renal transplantation were included in the study. Clinical signs such as pain in the right upper quadrant, temperature >38°C, and elevation in bilirubin levels occurred in 20 (64.5%), 8 (25.8%), and 3 (9.7%) patients, respectively. Ultrasound signs of acute cholecystitis were present in 27 patients (87.1%). In terms of laboratory values, white blood cell counts >10 × 10(9)/L occurred in 17 patients (54.8%), and C-reactive protein levels >40 mg/L were reported in 21 patients (67.7%). The conversion rate to open surgery was 32.3% (10 patients). In 13 cases, acalculous cholecystitis was present (41.9%). The average serum creatinine level 1 year after cholecystectomy had no statistically significant differences. One patient required temporary dialysis during the postoperative period (with subsequent graft recovery), and 1 graft was lost.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute cholecystitis in kidney transplant recipients is a serious complication, with frequent difficulties related to evaluation and diagnosis. Because clinical signs could be very mild compared with severity of gallbladder affliction, there is little room if any for conservative treatment in these patients. We have not noticed adverse impact of acute cholecystitis on 1-year graft function.

Emergency abdominal surgery after solid organ transplantation: a systematic review

AIMS

Due to the increasing number of solid organs transplantations, emergency abdominal surgery in transplanted patients is becoming a relevant challenge for the general surgeon. The aim of this systematic review of the literature is to analyze morbidity and mortality of emergency abdominal surgery performed in transplanted patients for graft-unrelated surgical problems.

METHODS

The literature search was performed on online databases with the time limit 1990-2015. Studies describing all types of emergency abdominal surgery in solid organ transplanted patients were retrieved for evaluation.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine case series published between 1996 and 2015 met the inclusion criteria and were selected for the systematic review. Overall, they included 71671 transplanted patients, of which 1761 (2.5 %) underwent emergency abdominal surgery. The transplanted organs were the heart in 65.8 % of patients, the lung in 22.1 %, the kidney in 9.5 %, and the liver in 2.6 %. The mean patients' age at the time of the emergency abdominal surgery was 49.4 ± 7.4 years, and the median time from transplantation to emergency surgery was 2.4 years (range 0.1-20). Indications for emergency abdominal surgery were: gallbladder diseases (80.3 %), gastrointestinal perforations (9.2 %), complicated diverticulitis (6.2 %), small bowel obstructions (2 %), and appendicitis (2 %). The overall mortality was 5.5 % (range 0-17.5 %). The morbidity rate varied from 13.6 % for gallbladder diseases to 32.7 % for complicated diverticulitis. Most of the time, the immunosuppressive therapy was maintained unmodified postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Emergency abdominal surgery in transplanted patients is not a rare event. Although associated with relevant mortality and morbidity, a prompt and appropriate surgery can lead to satisfactory results if performed taking into account the patient's immunosuppression therapy and hemodynamic stability.

Surgical procedures not connected with transplantation in patients after kidney or kidney and pancreas transplant with stable function of graft

The aim of the study was to evaluate complication during and after surgical procedure without connection with transplantation among patients after kidney, kidney and pancreas transplantation with stable function of graft.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

54 patients underwent 62 surgical procedures without connection with transplantation procedure. Main characteristic: standard immunosuppressive treatment, main age 51.1±13.95 years, men 77.4%, hospitalization time 5.27±3.31 day, group 1 - 55 procedures among patients after kidney transplantation, group 2 - 7 procedure among patients after kidney and pancreas transplantation.

RESULTS

Procedures from general surgery comprised 60% [cholecystectomy 19 (51%), left hemicolectomy 1 (3%), esophagus removal 1 (3%), hernia repair 8 (22%), nefrectomy 3 (8%), pancreas transplantation in patients with functional renal graft 1 (3%), laparotomy 4 (11%), vascular surgery 27% (correction of arteriovenosus fistula 13 (76%), by-pass surgery 1 (6%), embolectomy 1 (6%), implantation of aortal - iliac stentgraft 1 (6%), surgery of iliac artery 1 (6%)]. There has been no difference between parameters measured before and after procedure: creatinine (p=0.93), GFR (p=0.07), urea (p=0.25), glycaemia (p=0.322), glycated hemoglobin (p=0.3), C-peptide (p=0.3). In both groups were no differences in levels of creatinine (p=0.78) and urea (p=0.23), measured in the next years after surgical procedure. Mortality 0%, lost of graft 0%, in - hospital morbidity 10 (16.2%) (hematoma 1.6%, endocavitary electrode 1.6%, wound healing defect 16.2%). Morbidity in group 1 - 12.7%, group 2 - 48.8%, p=0.04.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical procedures performed in a specialist center do not impaire prognosis of patients with stable function of graft, after kidney, kidney and pancreas transplantation.

[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in transplant patients]

OBJECTIVE

This study reviews our experience with laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the treatment of cholelithiasis in transplant patients.

METHODS

Demographic data, medications used, and operative and postoperative data of all transplant recipients who were subjected to laparoscopic cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis at our hospital were obtained.

RESULTS

A total of 15 transplant patients (13 renal transplantation and 2 bone marrow transplantation) underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. All patients were admitted to the hospital on the day of the operation. The immunosuppressive regimen was not modified during hospitalization. Clinical presentation of cholelithiasis was biliary colicky (n=12), acute cholecystitis (n=2), and jaundice (n=1). The operation was uneventful in all patients. Postoperative complications were nausea and vomiting in 2 patients, prolonged tracheal intubation in 1, wound infection in 1 and large superficial hematoma in 1 patient.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is associated to a low morbidity and mortality and good postoperative outcome in transplant patients with uncomplicated cholecystitis.

Acute Care Surgery after Renal Transplantation

Emergent operation after renal transplantation (RT) has traditionally been associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. We reviewed 2340 adult patients who underwent RT at our tertiary care center and identified 55 patients who required acute care surgical consultation within 1 year of transplantation. Of these, 43 were treated operatively and 12 nonoperatively Primary diagnoses were intestinal problems in 29 patients (53%), including diverticulitis, ischemia, perforation, obstruction, and bleeding; cholecystitis in 10 (18%); fluid collections in six (11%), appendicitis and hernias in two each (4%); gastritis in one (2%); and no diagnosis in five (9%). Colonic pathology was treated with resection and diversion in 14 of 16 patients who underwent surgery. Acute allograft rejection preceded the surgical problem in five patients. Complications occurred in 13 per cent of patients, and mortality was 9 per cent. Colonic ischemia had a fulminating presentation and particular morbidity. We conclude that acute gastrointestinal emergencies after RT are rare and that early and aggressive intervention using an acute care surgical model yields excellent results.