Kidney Transplant with Multiple Renal Artery Grafts from Deceased Donors: Are Long-Term Graft and Patient Survival Compromised?

The accessory renal arteries: A systematic review with meta-analysis

The accessory renal arteries (ARAs) are a well-described variant of the renal vasculature with clinical implications for radiologists, surgeons, and clinicians. The aim of the present systematic review with meta-analysis was to estimate the pooled prevalence of ARAs, including their variant number, origin, and termination, and to highlight symmetrical and asymmetrical morphological patterns. The systematic review used four online databases in accordance with PRISMA 2020 and Evidence-based Anatomy Workgroup guidelines. R programming software was used for the statistical meta-analysis. A total of 111 studies were considered eligible for our initial aim. The typical renal artery (RA) anatomy (a single bilateral vessel) was identified in 78.92%; the overall ARA prevalence was estimated at a pooled prevalence of 21.10%. The estimated pooled prevalence of one, two, three, and four ARAs were 18.67%, 1.80%, 0.01%, and <0.01%. The ARAs have been the subject of extensive research owing to their clinical importance, including in kidney transplantation surgery and resistant hypertension therapy. Knowledge of the typical and variant anatomy of RAs is essential for anatomists, radiologists, surgeons, and clinicians in order to avoid misunderstanding, complications, and iatrogenic injury.

Number of Donor Renal Arteries and Early Outcomes after Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation

Background

Anatomic abnormalities increase the risk of deceased donor kidney discard, but their effect on transplant outcomes is understudied. We sought to determine the effect of multiple donor renal arteries on early outcomes after deceased donor kidney transplantation.

Methods

For this retrospective cohort study, we identified 1443 kidneys from 832 deceased donors with ≥1 kidney transplanted at our center (2006-2016). We compared the odds of delayed graft function and 90-day graft failure using logistic regression. To reduce potential selection bias, we then repeated the analysis using a paired-kidney cohort, including kidney pairs from 162 donors with one single-artery kidney and one multiartery kidney.

Results

Of 1443 kidneys included, 319 (22%) had multiple arteries. Multiartery kidneys experienced longer cold ischemia time, but other characteristics were similar between groups. Delayed graft function (50% multiartery versus 45% one artery, P=0.07) and 90-day graft failure (3% versus 3%, P=0.83) were similar between groups before and after adjusting for donor and recipient characteristics. In the paired kidney analysis, cold ischemia time was significantly longer for multiartery kidneys compared with single-artery kidneys from the same donor (33.5 versus 26.1 hours, P<0.001), but delayed graft function and 90-day graft failure were again similar between groups.

Conclusions

Compared with single-artery deceased donor kidneys, those with multiple renal arteries are harder to place, but experience similar delayed graft function and early graft failure.

Prevalence and Relevance of Multiple Renal Arteries: A Radioanatomical Perspective

Background: A single renal artery supplies the kidney in 70% of the population but variation exists in the remaining 30%. Multiple renal arteries (MRA) in different permutations and combinations are one of the many forms of variants. Lack of awareness of multiplicity could have detrimental effects on the outcome of renal surgery. The present study aims at identifying the variants of renal artery based on its origin, multiplicity, and portal of entry in a cohort of people belonging to Southern India and its clinical implications thereof.

Methods: Multi-detector CT (MDCT) images of renal vasculature of 100 kidneys from 50 live kidney donors who attended the Department of Nephrology of our institution, from 2016 to 2018 were collected and studied for variations in renal arterial anatomy.

Results: Out of the 18% of kidneys observed with multiple renal arteries, 88.8% had double renal arteries (DRA) and 11.1% had triple renal arteries (TRA). Common types of the double renal arteries were - two hilar arteries (31.3%) and one hilar with one inferior polar artery (IPA, 31.3%). Triple renal arteries types - 50% with one hilar, one superior polar, and one inferior polar; 50% with two hilar and one inferior polar artery. No statistically significant association was noted between the incidence of multiple renal arteries and its laterality (p-value=0.193).

Conclusion: A thorough understanding of the renal artery variants is crucial for safe and efficacious uro-radiological interventional procedures.

Influence of Multiple Donor Renal Arteries on the Outcome and Graft Survival in Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation

AIM

Complex arterial reconstruction in kidney transplantation (KT) using kidneys from deceased donors (DD) warrants additional study since little is known about the effects on the mid- and long-term outcome and graft survival.

METHODS

A total of 451 patients receiving deceased donor KT in our department between 1993 and 2017 were included in our study. Patients were divided into three groups according to the number of arteries and anastomosis: (A) 1 renal artery, 1 arterial anastomosis (N = 369); (B) >1 renal artery, 1 arterial anastomosis (N = 47); and (C) >1 renal artery, >1 arterial anastomosis (N = 35). Furthermore, the influence of localization of the arterial anastomosis (common iliac artery (CIA), versus non-CIA) was analyzed. Clinicopathological characteristics, outcome, and graft and patient survival of all groups were compared retrospectively.

RESULTS

With growing vascular complexity, the time of warm ischemia increased significantly (groups A, B, and C: 40 ± 19 min, 45 ± 19 min, and 50 ± 17 min, respectively; p = 0.006). Furthermore, the duration of operation was prolonged, although this did not reach significance (groups A, B, and C: 175 ± 98 min, 180 ± 35 min, and 210 ± 43 min, respectively; p = 0.352). There were no significant differences regarding surgical complications, post-transplant kidney function (delayed graft function, initial non-function, episodes of acute rejection), or long-term graft survival. Regarding the localization of the arterial anastomosis, non-CIA was an independent prognostic factor for deep vein thrombosis in multivariate analysis (CIA versus non-CIA: OR 11.551; 95% CI, 1.218-109.554; p = 0.033).

CONCLUSION

Multiple-donor renal arteries should not be considered a contraindication to deceased KT, as morbidity rates and long-term outcomes seem to be comparable with grafts with single arteries and less complex anastomoses.

Transplantation Using Renal Grafts With Multiple Renal Arteries: A Putative Study on the Impact of Arterial Reconstruction Technique and Site of Implantation on Outcomes

BACKGROUND

In the present retrospective study, we analyzed the outcomes of patients transplanted with grafts with multiple renal arteries (MRAs).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In total, 89 patients were transplanted with renal grafts with MRAs from 2003 to 2018. Demographic characteristics; type of donor; warm and cold ischemia times; arterial anastomosis technique; complications; graft function at first month, first year, and last outpatient clinic visit; and patient and graft survival were all retrospectively evaluated.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 40.4 ± 13.3 years. Fifty-six patients (62.9%) were male. In total, 42 patients (47.2%) received renal grafts from living related donors. In group A (n = 24; 27%), anastomosis was performed separately to the recipient external or internal iliac arteries; in group B (n = 38; 42.7%), the secondary artery was anastomosed to the main artery in a side-to-side fashion to form a single common orifice; in group C (n = 27; 30.3%), secondary arteries were anastomosed to the main renal artery in an end-to-side fashion. Creatinine clearance at the first month was significantly lower for deceased-donor grafts compared to living-donor renal grafts (P < .05). Creatinine clearance in the first postoperative month was significantly lower in group A and creatinine clearance in the first year was significantly lower in group C (P < .05). The best survival was found for anastomosis to the internal iliac artery (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

MRAs can be safely used and the reconstruction technique does not matter if the graft kidney's arterial supply is preserved and the internal iliac artery is chosen for anastomosis.

Recipient outcomes in total laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy with multiple renal vessels

Introduction:

In kidney transplantation, total laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy (TLLDN) in the presence of multiple renal arteries (MRA) is technically challenging and has traditionally been associated with higher complication rates. We report our experience of using MRA grafts procured by TLLDN.

Materials and Methods:

Patients undergoing TLLDN at our center (2004–2014) was identified from a prospectively maintained database and divided into single renal arteries (SRA) or MRA groups. Recipient perioperative parameters, postoperative complications, and long-term graft survival were analyzed.

Results:

Of 465 patients, 106 had MRA and 359 had an SRA. There were six vascular complications in the SRA group and two in the MRA group (1.7% vs. 1.8%). There were eight ureteric complications requiring intervention in the SRA group compared to three in the MRA group (4% vs. 3%; P = 0.45). Acute rejection was observed in 12% of the SRA group compared to 9% in the MRA group (P = 0.23). One-, 5- and 10-year graft survivals were 98.2%, 91.3%, and 89.8% in the MRA group versus 98.0%, 90.4%, and 77.5% in the SRA group (log-rank P = 0.13).

Conclusion:

The use of MRA grafts procured by TLLDN has comparable complication rates to SRA grafts and should not preclude selection for renal transplantation.

Grafts With Multiple Renal Arteries in Kidney Transplantation

BACKGROUND

Renal grafts with multiple renal arteries (MRA) are a compelling issue in surgery of kidney transplantation. Transplantations using "grafts with MRA" have conflicting results. Here, we present our experiences on the issue.

METHOD

This is a single-center, observational, descriptive study. One hundred ninety-nine patients with end-stage renal disease received a kidney graft from their living- or deceased-related donors in our center between July 2016 and May 2017. We included all recipients to the study. Patients were divided into the following 2 groups: Group 1, recipients who received a renal graft with single renal artery, and Group 2, recipients who received a renal graft with MRA. Groups were compared for estimated glomerular filtration rates (months 1-3 and 12), delayed graft function, and graft survival. Data were analyzed by using SPSS for Windows version 15.

RESULTS

One hundred ninety-five recipients with all documented data were analyzed. Graft function was compared between 2 groups in months 1, 3, and 12 and found both to have similar outcomes. MRA has been indicated to have no impact on delayed graft function, higher risk for vascular injury, and biopsy-proven acute tubular necrosis. Also, anastomosis sides have been found to have no importance on graft function in recipients with MRA (P > .05 between all sides).

CONCLUSION

Our study indicates grafts with MRA and grafts with a single renal artery have comparable results in the first post-transplant year.

Morphological and clinical aspects of the occurrence of accessory (multiple) renal arteries

Renal vascularization variants vastly differ between individuals due to the very complex embryogenesis of the kidneys. Moreover, each variant may have implications for clinical and surgical interventions. The number of operating procedures continues to grow, and includes renal transplants, aneurysmorrhaphy and other vascular reconstructions. In any surgical technique, unawareness of the presence of multiple renal arteries may result in a fatal outcome, especially if laparoscopic methods are used. The aim of this review is to comprehensively identify the variation within multiple renal arteries and to highlight the connections between the presence of accessory renal arteries and the coexistence of other variants of vascularization. Another aim is to determine the potential clinical implications of the presence of accessory renal arteries. This study is of particular importance for surgeons, intervention radiologists, nephrologists and vascular surgeons.

Accessory (multiple) renal arteries - Differences in frequency according to population, visualizing techniques and stage of morphological development

The aim of this paper is to comprehensively analyze the literature focused on frequency of the presence of the accessory renal arteries in the human body. A systematic analysis of papers has been made. With regard to ethnicity, the incidence of accessory renal arteries fluctuates from 4% in a Malaysian population to 61.5% in a Brazilian population. The frequency is lowest in eastern and southern Asia (from 4% to 18.4%). In some, not ethnically homogenous populations, wide span of occurrence of accessory renal arteries is described (e.g. American - averaging from 18% to 28.8%). A higher frequency of accessory renal arteries was observed in fetuses compared to adults. Moreover, differences in the presence and number of accessory renal arteries reported in different papers are a consequence of type of visualizing technique used in research - especially when computed tomography and anatomical dissection were compared. The increasing number of surgical interventions, especially where laparoscopic methods are concerned, underlines the importance of such knowledge especially to surgeons, interventional radiologists, nephrologists, and vascular surgeons.

Surgical complications and graft survival in pediatric kidney transplant recipients treated with a steroid-free protocol: experiences from a Danish university hospital

BACKGROUND

The outcome of pediatric kidney transplantation depends on several factors, among these are the complications, which occur in relation to the surgical procedure. In this study, we present our experience with pediatric kidney transplantation in a steroid-free immunosuppression regimen, from a surgical point of view.

METHODS

Patient charts of pediatric kidney transplantations in the period 1998-2011 were reviewed. Surgical complications, acute rejection, and patient and graft survivals were recorded.

RESULTS

Sixty-one renal transplantations were performed in 58 patients. Thirty patients (49.1%) experienced a surgical complication, of which 11 (18%) required an explorative laparotomy. Overall the five-year Kaplan-Meier patient survival rate was 96.2% and the graft survival rate was 88.6%. Nine patients (14.7%) had an acute rejection episode within the first year after transplantation. No correlation was observed between surgical complications and acute rejection episodes or graft loss.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicated a high incidence of surgical complications among pediatric kidney transplantations when using a steroid-free immunosuppression regimen. Despite this, we observed high overall patient and graft survival, supporting the trend toward steroids avoidance in pediatric kidney transplantation.