RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Indication and timing of allograft nephrectomy is still uncertain in some cases. AIM: The aim of the authors was to summarize their experience with graftectomies. METHOD: Data from patients who underwent kidney transplantation between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Frequency, indications, timing, complications as well as early and late allograft nephrectomies were reviewed. RESULTS: From 480 renal transplants, 55 graftectomies were performed (11%). Frequent indications included chronic allograft nephropathy (47%), arterial blood supply complications (13%), ureter complications (9%). 22 cases (40%) of allograft nephrectomies were urgent while 33 cases (60%) were elective. 24% of graftectomies were performed within 30 days after transplantation and 76% thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: The main indications for early graftectomies were arterial complications (31%) and chronic allograft nephropathy (62%) in cases of late graftectomies. The majority of the graftectomies were elective. Leading indication was chronic allograft nephropathy. Early and late graftectomies have different characteristics.