Could thymoglobulin increase hemorrhagic risk in the perioperative transplantation period of sensitized kidney recipients?

OBJECTIVE: It has been described that thymoglobulin could increase the risk of infections and malignancies, in comparison to basiliximab. Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia are also more common within the first days after transplantation among thymoglobulin patients. Our objective was to analyze bleeding complications in this subset of patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Bleeding complications were evaluated among 515 renal transplants carried out at our institution between 2012 and 2018. We compared patients treated with thymoglobulin (Group 1, N=91) with those treated with basiliximab (Group 2, N=424). RESULTS: We found differences in platelet decrease: 95,142.2 (55,339.6) in Group 1 and 52,364.3 (69,116.6) in Group 2 (P=0.001), number of patients with severe thrombocytopenia (<75,000/mm3) (20.8% vs. 3.7%, P=0.001), number of blood units transfused (3.25 (0.572) vs. 2.2 (0.191, P=0.028) and percentage of patients that required surgery due to bleeding (18.2% vs. 7.7%, P=0.046). In a multiple lineal regression multivariable analysis (dependent variable was number of blood units transfused), only age [OR 0.037, 95% CI (0.003-0.070)] and type of immunosuppression [OR 1.592, 95% CI (1.38-2.84)] showed statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: The use of thymoglobulin in the perioperative transplantation period could increase bleeding complications. In our series, in the group of patients with thymoglobulin, severe thrombocytopenia was 6 times more frequent, and active bleeding that required surgery was also 2.5 times more frequent. One way to continue with the use of this immunosuppression agent, might be to adjust the dose instead of discontinuing it. The use of thymoglobulin should be a factor to consider in the postoperative period of these patients.

Reconstruction of a Damaged Lower Polar Artery for Kidney Transplantation Using Tubularised Donor Aorta.

INTRODUCTION: Live donors, extended donor criteria, and the maximum usage of organs with anatomical variants are some of the mechanisms used to increase the number of organs available. CASE: We present the case of a kidney transplant, in which the organ had an iatrogenic injury to a lower pole arterial branch during retrieval. The donor was a 35-year-old male (DCD, Maastricht III). The right kidney was accepted; it had three veins in a single cava patch and three renal arteries, the main artery with aorta patch that is 8 cm long. A small lower pole artery was sectioned during retrieval surgery at approximately 1 cm from its origin as well as a third small mid-lower pole artery. The lower pole damaged artery was reconstructed using tubularised aorta patch to a total length of 5 cm. No additional donor vessels had been sent. After construction of the tubulised aorta, E-E anastomosis to the damaged polar artery was done with interrupted 7-0 Prolene sutures. CONCLUSION: While the waiting list for a kidney continues to rise and we continue to have organ shortness, vascular retrieval injury should not be an absolute contraindication for transplant.

Complications of percutaneous nephrolithotomy in the prone position according with modified Clavien-Dindo grading system.

INTRODUCTION: Clavien-Dindo classification system has been proposed to grade perioperative complications in percutaneous nephrolithotomy. The complications of this technique that have taken place in the last 2 years are reported in this paper according Clavien-Dindo classification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2011 and 2012 a total of 255 percutaneous nephrolithotomy were performed at our center for stones more than 2 cm in size. In order to determine the incidence of complications classified in the modified Clavien-Dindo system, statistical analysis of the data obtained was carried out. RESULTS: During the period analyzed, 255 percutaneous nephrolithotomy were performed in 249 patients, 41% of the right side, 57% of the left side and 2% bilateral and simultaneous. 137 and 112 patients were males and females, respectively. The most prevalent comorbidities were: hypertension (AHT) in 101 patients (40.6%), BMI>30 in 81 patients (32%), diabetes mellitus in 46 patients (18.5%) and coagulation abnormalities in 24 patients (9.6%). A total of 70 cases (27.4%) were distributed according to Clavien-Dindo classification: grade i, 8.4%, grade ii 8.4%, grade iiia 4.4%, grade iiib 6% grade iva .8%, grade ivb: 0% and grade v 0%. CONCLUSIONS: A graded classification scheme for reporting the complications of percutaneous nephrolithotomy is useful for monitoring and reporting outcomes. We propose a standardized use of this classification in order to make the results comparable among different centers performing the technique.