Short-term experiences of a liver transplant centre before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND/AIM: With the COVID-19 pandemic, managing the process of solid organ transplantation has become a significant matter for transplant centres. In this study, we report our experiences on evaluating the effects of COVID-19 in patients with recent liver transplants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated patients who received liver transplants during three close consecutive periods of time. For transplants conducted between October 1 and December 31, 2019, January 1 and March 10, 2020 and March 11 and June 22, 2020, the lung tomographies of patients were inspected for radiological signs of viral pneumonia. For patients after March 11, 2020, the hospital's electronic database system was scanned for preoperative and postoperative SARS-CoV-2 testing from Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) of the respiratory tract samples. RESULTS: A total of 149 patients over the age of 18 who received liver transplants at our centre between October 1, 2019 and June 22, 2020 were evaluated. During this time span, our centre conducted liver transplants on patients from 34 different provinces and also abroad. Within this time period, a total of nine patients had respiratory samples with a positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test. PCR of respiratory tract samples was performed in 21 (14%) patients to identify the other potential infective agents in the respiratory tracts; Rhinovirus and Influenza A were detected in two and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was detected in one patient. During the transplant periods, 99 (67.1%) patients were evaluated with computed tomography (CT). The CT findings of 18 (12%) patients were consistent with viral pneumonia. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups only in terms of air bronchogram findings (P = .012). CONCLUSION: The clinical status of our short-term liver transplant patients was far better than we originally anticipated, but it remains obvious that the necessary precautions should continue to be taken.

Evaluation of clinical characteristics and outcomes of postoperative infections in living liver donors.

AIM: To analyze developing infections after living donor hepatectomy (LDH) in living liver donors (LLDs). METHODS: Demographic and clinical characteristics of 1106 LLDs were retrospectively analyzed in terms of whether postoperative infection development. Therefore, LLDs were divided into two groups: with (n = 190) and without (n = 916) antimicrobial agent use. RESULTS: The median age was 29.5 (min-max: 18-55). A total of 257 (23.2%) infection attacks (min-max: 1-8) was developed in 190 (17.2%) LLDs. The patients with the infection that were longer intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stays, higher hospital admissions, emergency transplantation, invasive procedures for ERCP, PTC biloma, and abscess drainage, and the presence of relaparatomies and transcystic catheters. Infection attacks are derived from a 58.3% hepatobiliary system, 13.2% urinary system, 6.6% surgical site, and 5.8% respiratory system. The most common onset symptoms were fever, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. A total of 125 positive results was detected from 77 patients with culture positivity. The most detected microorganisms from the cultures taken are Extended-Spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBL) producing Klebsiella pneumonia (16.8%) and Escherichia coli (16%), Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus [(MRSA) (9.6%)], Methicillin-susceptible S aureus [(MSSA) (9.6%)], and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8.8%), respectively. The average number of ICU hospitalization days was 3 ± 2 (min 1-max 30, IQR:1) and hospitalization days was 14 ± 12 (min 3-max 138, IQR: 8). All infection attacks were successfully treated. No patients died because of infection or another surgical complication. CONCLUSION: Infections commonly observed infected biloma, cholangitis, and abscess arising from the biliary system and other nosocomial infections are the feared complications in LLDs. These infections should be managed multidisciplinary without delay and carefully.

Occult hepatitis B infection in Turkish HIV-infected patients: A multicentre, retrospective, cross-sectional study, Schindler study.

OBJECTIVE: Occult hepatitis B infection (OHBI) appears to have a higher prevalence in populations at high risk for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection with concomitant liver disease. The aim was to assess the prevalence of OHBI in a sample of human immunodeficiency virus -1 positive and HBV surface antigen-negative (HIV-1+/HBsAg-) Turkish patients. METHODS: Ten centres in Turkey were included in the study. Patients were selected on the basis of a power calculation with a known population size of HIV-positive patients and a reported prevalence of OHBI. Gender, age, occupation, place of residence, treatment and clinical status, and laboratory results, including immunodeficiency panel, antibody tests, hemogram, biochemistry, and coagulation studies were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: The number of HIV-infected patients followed in these centres was 3172 and the sample population numbered 278. All 278 were HBsAg negative. The mean age of the sample was 37.2 ± 13.1 years and 235 (84.5%) were male. All but one patient (99.6%) had been treated with antiretroviral therapy. Of the 278 patients, 169 (60.6%) were positive for Anti-HBs and 125 (44.8%) were positive for Anti-HBc IgG. HIV RNA was detected in 203/278 (73%) of the patients. Four HBV DNA (1.4%) were diagnosed with OHBI. There was no significant difference in hemogram, hemoglobin or bilirubin concentrations in those with OHBI compared with the other patients. CONCLUSION: In a representative sample of HIV+ patients from 10 Turkish centres, the prevalence of OHBI was found to be 1.4%. In HIV positive patients, it is important to identify those with OHBI for optimal clinical management and prognosis.

Clinical results and health-related quality of life in otoplasty patients using cartilage resection and suturing methods.

In this study, we evaluated clinical results and health-related quality of life in our otoplasty patients in whom we used cartilage resection method (CRM) and suturing method (SM). A total of 132 ears of 77 patients (36 males, 41 females; mean age 14.6 ± 6.4) between January 2006 and February 2013 were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups according to the type of surgery performed: Group 1 was the cartilage resection group (CRG) and Group 2 was the suturing group (SG). CRM was performed on 64 ears of 37 patients (unilateral in 10 cases and bilateral in 27 cases), and SM was performed on 68 ears of 40 patients (unilateral in 12 cases and bilateral in 28 cases). The parameters of the groups, including operation time, measurements of the auriculocephalic distances, complication rates, postoperative satisfaction rates, and health-related quality of life were compared. Mean operation time was 53.7 ± 7.8 min in the CRG and 44.9 ± 4.2 min in the SG (P ≤ 0.05). Mean postoperative auriculocephalic measurements were similar in both groups. The complications were more frequent in the CRG (10/37 patients, 27.02 %) than in the SG (3/40 patients, 7.54 %) with statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). Three months after the surgery, visual analog scale increased from 25 (preoperatively) to 70 in the CRG and from 30 to 90 in the SG, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). Patients' health-related quality of life showed a statistically significant increase after the operation in both groups (P < 0.05). CRM and SM are effective treatment methods with high success rates for patients with prominent ears. In the selected cases, SM seems to represent a better option for otoplasty than CRM because clinical results, cosmetic outcomes, patient satisfaction, and health-related quality of life scores were better than CRM.

Otoplasty: results of suturing and scoring techniques.

In this study, we evaluated our otoplasty surgery results in patients with prominent ears. A total of 76 ears in 42 patients (20 male, 22 female; mean age 14; range 6-34 years) who underwent otoplasty surgery under general anesthesia between April 2005 and February 2012 were evaluated retrospectively. Of the 76 surgical cases, while 65 were operated on for the first time (primary), 6 had had previous unsuccessful surgical interventions at other institutes (secondary) and 5 were our own revision surgery cases. Of the primary cases; 11 had unilateral and 27 had bilateral surgery. Postoperative follow-ups were performed at week one, months one, three and six and at 1 year. While 60 of the 65 primary surgeries and all 6 of the secondary surgeries had successful results, 5 cases required revision surgery. The revision otoplasty surgeries were found to be successful in all patients on follow-up visits. Otoplasty surgery is an effective treatment method with high success rates for patients with prominent ears.

Fungus ball in concha bullosa: an unusual cause of retro-orbital pain.

Fungus ball in the concha bullosa is an extremely rare disease. We described a case of the fungus ball in the concha bullosa in a 22-year-old woman. Preoperative diagnosis was based on nasal endoscopy and computed tomography scanning. The patient was endoscopically operated on. The examination of the removed material was reported as fungal infection. This case was found worth writing because of the location of the concha bullosa and its rare occurrence in this location.

An unusual cause of conductive hearing loss: bilateral complete meatal obstruction following otoplasty.

There are many causes of conductive hearing loss. Otoplasty is a commonly performed cosmetic surgery to correction for prominent ear. We discussed an unusual cause of conductive hearing loss, bilateral complete meatal obstruction following otoplasty, in this article. This complication was probably due to unsuitable placement of the Furnas sutures. In the literature, as a cause of conductive hearing loss, unilateral complete meatal obstruction has been described rarely, but bilateral complete obstruction has not been defined. Hearing loss recovered completely after revision surgery. Correct diagnosis, accurate preoperative or perioperative examination, choice of the proper technique and surgeon experience are essential for avoiding inadequate results or complications of otoplasty. The surgeon should be aware of the cartilage elasticity and suture techniques to avoid this complication.

Evaluation of chronic hepatitis B patients who voluntarily discontinued oral antiviral therapy: is there an answer to the controversial topic?

OBJECTIVE: The uncertain treatment duration for nucleos(t)ide analogues (NA) used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is an important problem for both patients and physicians. The aim of this study was to evaluate the determinants of virologic relapse (VR) and the optimum time of treatment discontinuation in the follow-up of CHB patients who voluntarily discontinued treatment after virological suppression was achieved under NA use. METHODS: Data from 138 patients from 11 centers were included in this registry-based study. Factors associated with VR were investigated using multivariate Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Ninety-nine (71.7%) of the patients were HBeAg (Hepatitis B e antigen) negative. During the 24-month follow-up period after treatment discontinuation, VR occurred in 58.7% (n = 81) of all patients and 57.6% (n = 57) of HBeAg-negative patients. The duration of NA treatment was significantly shorter (cutoff 60 months) in HBeAg-negative patients who later developed VR. In addition, the duration of virologic remission achieved under NA treatment was significantly shorter (cutoff 52 months) in those who later developed VR. In the Cox multivariate regression model of HBeAg-negative patients, having less than 60 months of NA treatment (HR = 2.568; CI:1.280-5.148; P  = 0.008) and the levels of alanine aminotransferase being equal to or higher than twice the upper level of normal at the beginning of treatment (HR = 3.753; CI:1.551-9.081; P  = 0.003) were found to be statistically significant and independently associated with VR. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study may provide clinical guidance in terms of determining the most appropriate discontinuation time for NA.

First year real life experience with tenofovir alafenamide fumarate: The pythagorean cohort.

Background and Aim: In chronic hepatitis B infection, antiviral therapy significantly reduces the incidence of complications. This study aimed to present real-life 12-month effectiveness and safety data for TAF. Materials and Methods: This Pythagoras Retrospective Cohort Study included patients from 14 centers in Turkiye. The study presents 12-month results of 480 patients treated with TAF as initial therapy or after switching from another antiviral drug. Results: The study shows treatment of about 78.1% patients with at least one antiviral agent (90.6% tenofovir disoproxil [TDF]). The rate of undetectable HBV DNA increased in both treatment-experienced and naive patients. In TDF-experienced patients, the rate of alanine transaminase (ALT) normalization increased slightly (1.6%) within 12 months, but the change was not statistically significant (p=0.766). Younger age, low albumin, and high body mass index and cholesterol were identified as risk factors for abnormal ALT after 12 months, but no linear relationship was detected. In TDF-experienced patients, renal and bone function indicators showed significant improvement three months after the transition to TAF and remained stable for 12 months. Conclusion: Real-life data demonstrated effective virological and biochemical responses with TAF therapy. After switching to TAF treatment, gains in kidney and bone functions were achieved in the early period.

Oral colonization of Acinetobacter baumannii in intensive care units: Risk factors, incidence, molecular epidemiology, association with the occur of pneumonia and sepsis, and infection control measures.

Objectives: Oral colonization of Acinetobacter baumannii can lead to infections such as pneumonia and sepsis. We aimed to evaluate oral colonization of hospitalized patients in ICUs and to examine risk factors for oral colonization, molecular epidemiology, and incidence of pneumonia and sepsis. Materials and Methods: The study began in February 2021. Oral cultures were taken. The microorganisms were identified by a Maldi-tof MS mass spectrometry device. Colistin resistance genes were investigated by polymerase chain reaction. Clonal relationships were determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Results: A. baumannii was found in 21 of 96 patients' oral cultures. Pneumonia and sepsis due to A. baumannii were detected in 14 and 5 patients, respectively. The mean growth time of A. baumannii from oral cultures was 11.8 days, and the meantime for the occurrence of pneumonia after oral growth was 5.2 days. We determined a plasmid mediated mcr-2 colistin resistance gene in a colistin susceptible A. baumannii strain. It is the first report of the plasmid mediated mcr-2 colistin resistance gene in our country. In total, fourteen different A. baumannii genotypes were determined in PFGE. It was determined that the effects of antibiotic use, oral motor dysfunction, mechanical ventilation, intubation, orogastric tube use, and total parenteral nutrition intake on oral colonization were statistically significant. Conclusion: Oral colonization of A. baumannii is a significant concern in ICUs. We believe that it is important to take oral cultures and follow the risk factors and take infection control measures to prevent oral colonization of resistant isolates in ICUs.

Mortality after kidney transplantation: 10-year outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: In the past decade, advances in immunological therapy have increased the survival of kidney recipients and their grafts. However, it has not achieved the desired level of improvement. This study aims to reveal the mortality among kidney recipients. METHODS: Medical data of the patients, who had undergone kidney transplantation (KT) between November 2010 and December 2020, were retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion criteria were adult kidney recipients, who had died. Exclusion criteria were pediatric recipients, recipients of en bloc and dual KT, recipients with missing data, and recipients with a primary non-functioning graft. The recipients were grouped according to their donor type; Group 1 (from a living donor) and Group 2 (from a deceased donor). Subgroup analyses were done for mortality by time-period post-transplant and for infectious causes of mortality. RESULTS: Of 314 recipients, 35 (11.14%) died. Twenty-nine recipients were included in the study (Group 1: 17 and Group 2: 12). The most common cause of mortality was infection (58.6%), and the second was cardiovascular disease (CVD) (24.1%). Sepsis developed in 29.4% of infection-related deaths, while COVID-19 constituted 23.5% of infection-related deaths. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis and treatment of infectious and CVD are important to improve survival in kidney recipients.

OBJETIVOS: En la última década, los avances en la terapia inmunológica han aumentado la supervivencia de los receptores de riñón y sus injertos. Sin embargo, no se pudo lograr el nivel de mejora deseado. Este estudio tiene como objetivo revelar la mortalidad entre los receptores de riñón. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Se revisaron retrospectivamente los datos médicos de los pacientes, que se habían sometido a un trasplante de riñón entre Noviembre de 2010 y Diciembre de 2020. Los criterios de inclusión fueron los receptores de riñón adultos, que habían fallecido. Los criterios de exclusión fueron los receptores pediátricos, los receptores de trasplantes de riñón dual y en bloque, los receptores con datos faltantes y los receptores con un injerto primario no funcionante. Los receptores se agruparon según su tipo de donante; Grupo 1 (de un donante vivo) y Grupo 2 (de un donante fallecido). Se realizaron análisis de subgrupos para la mortalidad por período de tiempo posterior al trasplante y para las causas infecciosas de mortalidad. RESULTADOS: De 314 beneficiarios, 35 (11,14%) fallecieron. Se incluyeron 29 receptores en el estudio (Grupo 1:17; Grupo 2:12). La causa más común de mortalidad fue la infección (58,6%) y la segunda fue la enfermedad cardiovascular (24,1%). La sepsis se desarrolló en el 29,4% de las muertes relacionadas con la infección, mientras que el COVID-19 constituyó el 23,5% de las muertes relacionadas con la infección. CONCLUSIÓN: El diagnóstico y tratamiento tempranos de enfermedades infecciosas y cardiovasculares es importante para mejorar la supervivencia de los receptores de riñón.

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Adults (MIS-A) Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Young Adult Case from Turkey.

Weeks and even months after recovering from the SARS-CoV-2 infection, clinically more severe cases are being reported, which are suggestive of COVID-19- related multisystemic inflammatory syndromes (MIS). Firstly on March 2020, this condition was reported to be COVID-19 related to children (MIS-C). Since June 2020, a syndrome similar to multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A) came to be noticed in adults as well. We reported here a case of 24-year-old young woman who had gone to a hospital with abdominal pain and later developed a severe cough, followed by development of subconjunctival bleeding, pericardial effusion, pleural effusion, and intra-abdominal fluid that we deemed them to be acute multisystemic clinical symptoms, 47 days after she had undergone a COVID-19 infection of mild clinical severity. It should be kept in mind that a multisystemic inflammatory syndrome along with a delayed immune response during COVID-19 disease can be seen not only in children but also in young adults, and seemingly severe clinical and laboratory findings can improve by controlling the inflammatory process.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Liver Transplantation Recipients With COVID-19 Pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of mild-severe COVID-19 pneumonia cases in liver transplant (LT) recipients. METHODS: Ten LT recipients diagnosed as having COVID-19 pneumonia in a 6-month period in our transplantation center were included. Demographic and medical data of the recipients were retrospectively collected; clinical courses, treatment responses, and outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: Ten LT recipients were male, had a median age of 57 years (min-max, 36-69 years; interquartile range [IQR], 13 years), and had right lobe from living donor LT performed in a median of 11 months (min-max, 1-72 months; IQR, 12 months). Five patients had severe pneumonia, and the remaining patients had mild/moderate pneumonia. The most frequent symptoms were fever (90%) and cough (70%). Favipiravir, enoxaparin sodium, and corticosteroid were initiated at the time of the diagnosis; immunosuppressive drug doses were reduced or discontinued in 3 cases. Lymphopenia median: 510/mL (min-max, 90-1400 mL; IQR, 610 mL), increased levels of C-reactive protein median: 4.72 (min-max, 0.31-23.4; IQR, 8.5), and ferritin median: 641 (min-max, 40 to ≥ 1650; IQR, 1108) were frequent. Four patients required antibacterial treatments because of emerging bacterial pneumonia and/or sepsis. All patients were hospitalized for a median of 10 days. One patient with sepsis died on the 26th day after intensive care unit admission, and the remaining 9 survived. No further complication was recorded for 1-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Commencing favipiravir, enoxaparin sodium, and corticosteroid treatments; close follow-up of the developing complications; the temporary reduction or cessation of immunosuppression; a multidisciplinary approach; early awareness of the bacterial infections; and the initiation appropriate antibiotic treatments can contribute to success.

Cerebrospinal fluid viscosity: a novel diagnostic measure for acute meningitis.

INTRODUCTION: Early diagnosis of acute meningitis has paramount importance in clinical practice because of mortality and morbidity of the disease. Examination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has critical value for the diagnosis of acute meningitis and discrimination of bacterial and aseptic meningitis. It has been previously reported that plasma viscosity can be used as an inflammatory marker. In this study we aimed to evaluate the role of CSF viscosity as a complementary measure for diagnosis of meningitis in suspected patients. METHODS: Forty-one consecutive patients who underwent lumbar puncture to rule out meningitis were studied prospectively. Twenty-seven patients were diagnosed with meningitis, of whom 13 patients had aseptic meningitis and 14 patients had bacterial meningitis. Meningitis was ruled out in 14 patients. RESULTS: CSF protein and CSF viscosity were significantly higher in patients with meningitis compared to nonmeningitis. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that CSF viscosity was highly sensitive (100%) and specific (93%); measures for the diagnosis of meningitis in the study population was comparable to those of CSF protein. Additionally, patients with meningitis were also divided into two groups as having bacterial and aseptic meningitis. CSF viscosity also significantly differed between bacterial and aseptic meningitis. CONCLUSION: The CSF viscosity is a simple and easy method and can be used as an adjunctive measure for the diagnosis of meningitis. With the support of further and larger clinical studies, CSF viscosity may have a role in the discrimination of bacterial versus aseptic meningitis.

Relationship between hand hygiene and cutaneous findings during COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: In the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) have to comply with hygiene conditions and use gloves more frequently and for a longer period of time than they would previously to avoid infection and prevent transmission. AIMS: We aimed to characterize the adverse skin reactions occurring after hand hygiene and glove use in HCWs in a tertiary university hospital to determine the possible causative factors and whether the use of these measures is affected. METHODS: Between April 15 and May 1, 2020, a cross-sectional survey was conducted, using online questionnaire, answered by HCWs in a tertiary university hospital. RESULTS: The increase in general hand-skin problems during the pandemic period was statistically significant (P = .004). The most common symptom was dryness. During the pandemic period, 67 (24.3%) HCWs thought that the conditions were caused by glove use, and 197 (71.4%) thought that they were due to alcohol-based hand antiseptics. The incidence of other hand-skin conditions except for vesicles was statistically higher in women than in men (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Increased number of hand-skin conditions during the pandemic should not be ignored, since hand hygiene and glove use are expected to increase.

A silent outbreak due to Klebsiella pneumoniae that co-produced NDM-1 and OXA-48 carbapenemases, and infection control measures.

OBJECTIVES: Infections due to carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae are associated with high morbidity and mortality. In this study, we report a hospital outbreak due to co-producing OXA-48 and NDM-1 K. pneumoniae clone. The aim of the study is to investigate the clonal relationship of strains, risk factors of outbreak and infection control measures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Once an outbreak was suspected at the end of December 2017 in our intensive care unit (ICU), carbapenem resistance K. pneumoniae identified in patients' specimens. An outbreak analysis was begun to determine the risk factors and dissemination of the cases. A case-control study was conducted to determine the risk factors. To control the outbreak; tight contact prevention, good clean-up the medical devices and hospital environment, were done. Staff training programs such as hand hygiene, disinfection, wearing aprons, good cleaning were created. Carbapenem resistance genes determined by PCR. Clonal relationships of strains investigated by PFGE. RESULTS: We investigate 21 carbapenem-resistant K. pneumonia strains. Nine of them were found co-produced NDM-1 and OXA-48, 11 strains produced OXA-48, and one strain produced NDM-1. Seven strains of co-producing NDM-1 and OXA-48 were found clonally related with PFGE. We could not determine any risk factor except rectal colonization in the case-control study. CONCLUSION: The interventions that successfully controlled this outbreak were hand hygiene, tight contact prevention, good clean-up of the hospital environment and medical devices. As a result, we believe that it would be beneficial to take infection control measures to prevent the spread of these strains to the community and hospital settings.

Is peritoneal dialysis prior to kidney transplantation a risk factor for ureteral stenosis after adult to adult live kidney transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: Major urinary complications such as urinary leaks, stenosis or urinary tract infections after kidney transplantation can lead to graft or patient loss. The effect of peritoneal dialysis on post-kidney transplantation complications have been discussed but its effect on ureteral stenosis is unknown. In this study, it was aimed to analyze factors effecting major ureteral complications after living donor kidney transplantation and impact of peritoneal dialysis and double J-stents (JJ stents). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included 116 adult to adult living donor kidney transplant patients. Factors effecting major urologic complications after living donor kidney transplantation were analyzed. The donors were primary relatives of the recipients. RESULTS: Major urologic complications after living donor kidney transplantation was 8/116 (6.9%). Urinary leak was present in 2 (1.7%) patients. Ureteral stenosis was encountered in 6 (5.2%) patients. Double J stents were used in 84 (72.4%) of the cases. The effect of JJ ureteral stent was not statistically significant for urinary leak, ureteral stenosis (p= 0.074, p= 0.470, respectively). A total of 29 (25%) patients had peritoneal dialysis before kidney transplantation. Preoperative peritoneal dialyses and bacteriuria after kidney transplantation were independent risk factors for ureteral stenosis in multivariate analysis (p= 0.013, and p= 0.010 respectively). CONCLUSION: In the guidance of the results of the present study, peritoneal dialysis prior to kidney transplantation and bacteriuria are independent risk factors for ureteral stenosis after living donor kidney transplantation. JJ stents have no effect on urologic complications after living donor kidney transplantation.