Secondary kidney transplantation in a patient 16 years after simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation--a case report.

ABSTRACT

Simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation (spktx) is currently the most effective method of treatment of type 1 diabetes complicated by renal insufficiency. The first successful spktx in Poland was performed in the Department of General, Vascular and Transplant Surgery of the Warsaw Medical University on the 4th of February 1988. Since then 70 spktx were performed in our Department. We present a 44-year-old patient who after 16 years of good function of both transplanted organs presented with elevated creatinine levels (>4 mg/dl) as a result of chronic rejection of the kidney allograft. On the 22nd of January 2005 the patient underwent secondary kidney transplantation. The immunosuppresive protocol consisted of MMF, CsA and steroids. Humanized anti-lL-2 monoclonal antibodies (daclizumab) were used as pre-procedure induction. Using a mid-line incision the new kidney graft was anastomosed to the recipient left external iliac vessels. The ureter was anastomosed with the bladder without anti reflux procedures and the allograft was placed in the retroperitoneum below the previously transplanted kidney. Graftectomy of the first kidney allograft was not performed. After surgery, normal creatinine parameters were restored to a level of 1, 1 mg/dl and an increase in urine output was noted from 1 to 4 liters per day. Oral intake of foods was resumed on the 4th postoperative day and no early complications were observed. 12 months observation period confirmed stabile function of both transplanted organs. Secondary kidney transplantation in patients after spktx is technically possible and may be considered an option in patients with diminishing function of the first kidney allograft.