Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Vascular complications after kidney transplantation may unfavorably effect patient and graft prognosis. The aim of the study was to analyze the severe vascular complications requiring surgical intervention post renal transplant.

METHODS

The data of 462 patients who underwent kidney transplantation from living and deceased donors were retrospectively analyzed. Only 13 patients requiring surgical intervention due to grade 3b and 4 vascular complications in early post-transplant period were included in this study.

RESULTS

Due to fifteen vascular complications; 13 (2.8%) kidney recipients underwent re-exploration. Median occurrence time of vascular complications was 12±19 days (min: 1 day, max: 72 days). The most common cause of vascular complication was hematoma followed by renal vein trombosis, artery anastomosis disruption, arterial kinking, infected hematoma and renal artery thrombosis. Graft nephrectomy was performed in 5 (38.5%) patients due to uncontrolled vascular complications. One year patient and graft survival was 90.9% and 61.5% in patients who underwent re-operations due to vascular complications, respectively. Two year patient and graft survival was 90.9% and 46.2%, respectively.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The rate of vascular complications after kidney transplantation shows the safety and feasibility of the kidney transplantation. The graft survival rates in patients requiring re-operation owing to severe vascular complications are in acceptable levels.