Use of Hem-o-lok Clips for Vascular Control During Retroperitoneoscopic Nephrectomy in Children.

Aim: To evaluate safety and efficacy of 5-mm Hem-o-lok clips in children undergoing retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy. Material and Methods: Twenty-four retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomies were performed between September 2004 and August 2007. The indications of nephrectomy were ureteropelvic junction obstruction, reflux nephropathy, ectopic ureteral opening with renal dysplasia, and stone disease with pyonephrosis and primary obstructed megaureter with renal dysplasia. Nine cases were on right side and others on left side. Multiple 5- or 10-mm Hem-o-lok clips were used to control renal artery and vein separately in each case. The specimen was mobilized and removed either by extension of a port site incision or by a separate incision at ipsilateral iliac fossa at the lateral border of the rectus muscle. Results: Hem-o-lok clips were deployed on renal pedicle separately in each case. Two clips were deployed on the body side and one on the specimen side. On the left side lumbar, gonadal and adrenal tributaries were also clipped by 5-mm Hem-o-lok clips. No clip dislodgement was observed in any patient. Mean operative time was 111 (80 ± 47) minutes, and mean blood loss was 25 (10 ± 45) mL. Mean hospital stay was 2.4 (1.9-3.1) days. Conclusion: Five- and 10-mm Hem-o-lok clips are safe and effective for renal pedicle control during retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy in children.

Predisposing and protective factors influencing suicide ideation, attempt, and death in patients accessing substance use treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

BACKGROUND: The lifetime risk of suicide in patients with substance use disorder is five to ten times the risk in the general population. Critically, up to 19% of patients continue to think about and attempt suicide even after accessing treatment. Therefore, suicidality represents a significant clinical concern in patients struggling with substance use that warrants careful investigation of the factors involved. While most previous research has relied on limited cross-sectional designs, a growing number of prospective studies are improving our understanding of the factors involved. However, a systematic study of these factors has not yet been conducted. METHODS: The primary objective of this review and possible meta-analysis will be to identify key risk and protective factors for suicide ideation, attempt, and death in patients accessing substance use treatment, guided by current models of suicide. Secondary and tertiary objectives will be to obtain pooled effect sizes for the factors identified and to disaggregate factors for suicidality before and after treatment, and for suicidal thought versus action. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we will conduct an electronic search of the literature using the databases Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. Two authors will independently screen studies based on pre-specified inclusion and exclusion criteria, extract relevant data, and assess study quality. Observational and randomized-controlled studies will be included, whereas case-studies and reviews will be excluded. We will extract data on risk and protective factors associated with suicide ideation, attempt (odds or risk ratios), and death (hazard ratio). Given sufficient data (> 5 studies), we will calculate pooled effects using comprehensive meta-analysis. DISCUSSION: This systematic review will contribute to our knowledge of risk and protective factors for suicidality in patients before and after treatment. Understanding these factors will help define areas of research for further investigation to ultimately inform risk assessment and prevention strategies. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO (reference number: CRD42018076260).

The Learning Curve of Pure Retroperitoneoscopic Donor Nephrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Retroperitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy (RDN) is a well-established modality for the procurement of kidneys for renal transplantation. However the learning curve of pure RDN is not yet defined. Defining the learning curve will help in proper mentorship of the new donor surgeons besides providing safety to the donors. OBJECTIVE: To define the learning curve of pure RDN. METHODS: We analyzed the prospectively collected data of 102 voluntary kidney donors who underwent RDN by a single surgeon between August 2012 and April 2015 at our center. The donors were classified into group A (1-34), group B (35-68), and group C (69-102) according to the chronological order of their surgery. Left RDN was performed in 28 (82%), 25 (74%), and 28 (82%) donors of group A, B, and C, respectively. Right RDN was performed in 6 (18%), 9 (26%), and 6 (18%) donors of group A, B, and C, respectively. The clinical data were analyzed for each group. RESULTS: Statistically significant difference was observed for the mean operative time (p<0.01) and warm ischemia time (p<0.04). The operative time remained around 200 minutes after the initial 35 cases. CONCLUSION: The learning curve of pure RDN was 35 cases, although the mastery requires more number of cases to be performed.

Gall bladder Adenocarcinoma in a Young Girl.

A 16-year-old girl presented with abdominal discomfort, weakness, and jaundice. General examination revealed deep icterus with hard lymph nodes in left supraclavicular region. On gastrointestinal examination, we appreciated a hard intra-abdominal lump in the right hypochondrium. Biochemical evaluation showed features of obstructive jaundice. Imaging confirmed the presence of gall bladder lump with multiple intra-abdominal lymph nodes. Fine needle aspiration cytology of neck nodes demonstrated metastatic adenocarcinoma. Fine needle aspiration cytology of the gall bladder lump (done under sonographic guidance) confirmed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. To the best of our knowledge, malignancy of the gall bladder has not been reported in individuals less than 18 years in India, and only three cases have been reported worldwide in English literature.

Appendicocalicostomy: A case of mistaken identity.

Anatomical structures with similar appearance may at times be confused for each other. This situation can be compounded by lack of normal anatomical planes. We did ureterocalicostomy on a 32-year-female with secondary pelvi-ureteral junction obstruction. Post-operatively, it was discovered that she had a long appendix running parallel to ureter in retroperitoneum, which was misidentified as ureter and anastomosed to the lower pole of the kidney. She was re-explored, appendix was removed, ureter was identified and ureterocalicostomy was done. Patient is asymptomatic at 1 year follow-up.

Outcome of live and deceased donor renal transplantation in patients aged ≥55 years: A single-center experience.

Renal transplantation (RTx) has now become an accepted therapeutic modality of choice for elderly ESRD patients. This single-center study was undertaken to evaluate the outcome of RTx in ESRD patients ≥55 years. A total of 103 patients underwent RTx 79 living related living donors [LD], 24 deceased donors [DD]) at our center. Post-transplant immunosuppression consisted of calcineurin inhibitor-based regimen. The mean donor age was 58.3 years in the LD group and 59.5 years in the DD group. Male recipients constituted 92% in LD and 75% in DD group. In living donor renal transplantation, 1- and 5-year patient survival was 93% and 83.3% respectively and death-censored graft survival was 97.3% and 92.5% respectively. There were 12.6% biopsy proven acute rejection (BPAR) episodes and 12.6% patients were lost, mainly due to infections. In deceased donor renal transplantation, 1- and 5-year patient survival was 79.1% and 74.5% respectively and death-censored graft survival was 95.8% and 85.1% respectively. There were 12.5% BPAR episodes and 25% of patients were lost, mainly due to infections. RTx in ESRD (≥55 years) patients has acceptable patient and graft survival if found to have cardiac fitness and therefore should be encouraged.

Intercity deceased donor renal transplantation: a single-center experience from a developing country.

In a developing country such as India, deceased donor renal transplantation (DDRTx) accounts for only about 1% of all renal transplants (RTx). Our institute initiated an intercity DDRTx in the year 2006, which significantly increased the number of RTx. We retrieved 74 kidneys from 37 deceased donors from various cities of Gujarat from January 2006 to December 2009. We transplanted the allografts in 66 recipients and a retrospective analysis of the donor profile and management and recipient outcome was performed. The mean age of the donors was 43.3 ± 18.8 years. The causes of death included road traffic accident in 51.35% of the donors and cerebrovascular stroke in 48.65% of the donors; 83.78% of the donors required ionotropes for hemodynamic stability in addition to vigorous intravenous fluid replacement. The average urine output of the donors was 350 ± 150 mL. The organs were perfused and stored in HTK solution. The mean cold ischemia time (CIT) was 9.12 ± 5.25 h. The mean anastomosis time in the recipient was 30.8 ± 8.7 min. 57.6% of the recipients established urine output on the operating table and 42.4% developed delayed graft function. At the end of 1 month after transplantation, the mean serum creatinine was comparable to the Ahmadabad city DDRTx, although the CIT was significantly longer in the intercity patients. Intercity organ harvesting is a viable option to increase the donor pool. Distance may not be an impediment, and good recipient outcome is possible in spite of prolonged CIT in case of proper harvesting and preservation.

Successful renal transplantation from a brain-dead deceased donor who died from snakebite: a case report.

Even though India is the country with the highest annual number of deaths (50,000) from snakebite, there is contradictory evidence regarding acceptance of deceased donors (DD) who died from this cause. We present 2 successful renal transplantations (RTx) from a brain-dead DD who died from a neurotoxic snakebite without manifestations of a viper bite. We accepted the donor as he exhibited no evidence of hematoxic snakebite. Rather the findings were consistent with a neurotoxic bite (probably krait), which can cause hypoxic brain injury. Both recipients established good diuresis intraoperatively and did not require hemodialysis. The patients were discharged with good diuresis and normal serum creatinines. After 3-month follow-up, both recipients show normal graft function. According to our experience of favorable RTx outcomes from a brain-dead DD who died from neurotoxic snakebite may expand the donor pool.

Ten kidney paired donation transplantation on World Kidney Day 2013: raising awareness and time to take action to increase donor pool.

BACKGROUND: Kidney paired donation (KPD) is feasible for any center that performs living related donor renal transplantation (LRDRTx). Lack of awareness, counseling and participation are important hurdles in KPD patients with incompatible donors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an institutional review board approved study of 10 ESRD patients who consented to participate in the KPD transplantation at our center. All the surgeries were carried out on the same day at the same center on the occasion of World Kidney Day (WKD) (14 March 2013). All recipients had anatomic, functional and immunological similar donors. RESULTS: KPD were performed to avoid blood group incompatibility (n = 8) or to avoid a positive crossmatch (n = 2). None of the patients experienced delayed graft function and surgical complications. At 3 month follow-up, median serum creatinine was 1 (range 0.6 to 1.25) mg/dL and two patients developed allograft biopsy-proven acute rejection and responded to antirejection therapy. Due to impact of our awareness activity, 20 more KPD patients are medically fit for transplantation and waiting for permission from the authorization committee before transplantation. CONCLUSION: This is a report of 10 simultaneous KPD transplantations in a single day in a single centre on WKD raising awareness of KPD. KPD is viable, legal and rapidly growing modality for facilitating LRDRTx for patients who are incompatible with their healthy, willing LRD.

Outcome of renal transplantation from deceased donors after cardiac death: a single-center experience from a developing country.

BACKGROUND: Limited information is available in the literature about the use of organs from donation after cardiac death (DCD) renal transplantation (RTx) from a developing country. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We report RTx outcome between DCD donors ≥70 years (Group 1; n = 14; mean age, 75.7 ± 5.81) and DCD donors <70 years (Group 2; n = l9; mean age, 51.7 ± 10.1) between January 1999 and January 2012. The mean age of recipients was 39.5 ± 14.7 years, 24 of whom were males. The mean donor age was 61.9 ± 14.6 years, 21 of whom were males. All recipients received single-dose thymoglobulin induction followed by immunosuppression with a steroid, a calcineurin inhibitor, and mycophenolate mofetil or azathioprine. Statistical analysis used chi-square test and unpaired Student t test. Kaplan-Meier curves were used for survival analysis. RESULTS: Over a mean follow-up of 3.21 ± 3.46 years, one-, five-, and ten-year, patient survival rates were 77%, 67.4%, and 67.4%, respectively, and death-censored graft survival rates were 85.7% for one, five, and ten years. Delayed graft function (DGF) was observed in 36.4% (n = 12) with 12.1% (n = 4) biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR). Patient survival (P = .27), graft survival (P = .20), DGF (P = .51), and BPAR (P = .74) were similar in 2 groups. A total of 27.2% (n = 9) of patients died, mainly due to infections (n = 5). CONCLUSION: Given the widespread organ shortage, outcomes of controlled DCD renal transplantation has a potential to expand the donor pool and shorten the waiting list for RTx, encouraging the use of this approach even in low-income countries.

Incidentally detected lymphatic filariasis in a renal allograft recipient.

Post-transplntation lymphocele is a well known complication, and lymphatic filariasis (LF) has occasionally been found to present as post-transplantation lymphocele. However, incidentally detected LF during transplantation surgery has not been reported. We present an incidentally detected LF presenting as enlarged lymph node in the right iliac fossa of a recipient during transplantation of donor kidney. He was subsequently treated after transplantation and had stable graft function without any complications after 8 months of follow-up.

Retroperitoneoscopic left donor nephrectomy with duplicated IVC.

Vascular anomalies increase the difficulty during live donor nephrectomy. We herein report a left-sided retroperitoneoscopic living donor nephrectomy performed in a donor with a duplicated inferior vena cava (IVC). Computed tomography angiography provided accurate delineation of the venous anatomy and allowed preoperative planning. The duplicated IVC was clipped and divided just below its confluence with the left renal vein. The length of the left renal vein was sufficient for anastomosis in the recipient, and the recipient's serum creatinine was 1.21% on day 7. The donor made an uneventful recovery. Duplicated IVC is not a contraindication for left retroperitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy.

Laparoscopic excision of a congenital seminal vesicle cyst associated with ipsilateral renal agenesis.

Seminal vesicle cyst (SVC) with ipsilateral renal agenesis is a rare congenital anomaly. Surgical treatment is indicated for symptomatic patients. The open surgical approach, traditionally considered the definitive form of treatment, has been associated with a high rate of morbidity. A laparoscopic approach for the management of SVCs has recently been described. We performed a laparoscopic excision of a SVC with special precaution taken to avoid injury to the neurovascular bundle in a symptomatic 27-year-old patient. The patient was discharged home on the second postoperative day and at the 1-year follow-up he had remained symptom-free with normal erectile and ejaculatory function.

Living donor paired-kidney exchange transplantation: A single institution experience.

INTRODUCTION: Paired-kidney exchange (PKE) is used in western countries to increase donor pool. In India, there are not many centers involved in PKE program. We present 10 years of this experience and outcome of the recipients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between year 2000 and 2009, 34 transplants with PKE were performed. All donors were live related, and permission from Authorization committee(s) from one or more states was obtained prior to transplantation. Both donor and recipient surgeries were carried out simultaneously in all cases at a single institution. Last 10 donors were offered laparoscopic donor nephrectomy and all other previous donors were operated by open surgery. RESULTS: Five donor-recipient pairs were from the state of Rajasthan, one from Madhya Pradesh, and all others from Gujarat. ABO incompatibility between donor and recipient was present in 12 pairs and positive lymphocyte cross-match in 5 pairs. CONCLUSION: Paired-kidney-exchange transplantation expands donor pool and total number of transplantation.

Retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy for crossed-fused ectopic kidney.

A 25-year-old female presented with a history of recurrent urinary tract infection and end stage renal failure. Voiding cystourethrography revealed bilateral Grade IV vesicoureteral reflux with left to right crossed ectopia. A computed tomography scan showed fusion of both kidneys with the left kidney situated at the lower and anterior part of the right orthotopic moiety. A retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy with a right side ureterectomy was carried out.

Successful en bloc transplantation of pediatric deceased donor kidneys with grade 1 injury.

Kidney transplantation from deceased donors is in its infancy in India. Marginal donors are now accepted by many centers for kidney transplantation. We report a case of procurement of en bloc kidneys from a pediatric deceased donor having grade 1 renal injury and transplanted to an adult recipient with a follow up of two years and five months.

Two renal veins are not a contraindication for retroperitoneoscopic right-side donor nephrectomy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of right-donor nephrectomy with kidneys having two or more renal veins. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 2004 and August 2007 50 right-side donor nephrectomies were performed. Eight donors had two or more renal veins; in seven patients multiple renal veins were an intraoperative finding, while in one case preoperative evaluation had revealed two renal veins. Four-port retroperitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy was performed. An Endo-TA stapler was used to control renal veins in all donors. RESULTS: Donor nephrectomy was uncomplicated in all cases. Two renal veins were present in seven patients, while one donor had four renal veins. Mean operative time, blood loss, and warm ischemia time were 148.7 minutes, 86.8 mL, and 269 seconds, respectively. The mean nadir serum creatinine value was 0.98 mg%. CONCLUSION: Retroperitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy on the right side with two or more renal veins is feasible and safe.