Nomograms for predicting graft function and survival in living donor kidney transplantation based on the UNOS Registry.

PURPOSE: We developed nomograms that predict transplant renal function at 1 year (Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation [estimated glomerular filtration rate]) and 5-year graft survival after living donor kidney transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data for living donor renal transplants were obtained from the United Network for Organ Sharing registry for 2000 to 2003. Nomograms were designed using linear or Cox regression models to predict 1-year estimated glomerular filtration rate and 5-year graft survival based on pretransplant information including demographic factors, immunosuppressive therapy, immunological factors and organ procurement technique. A third nomogram was constructed to predict 5-year graft survival using additional information available by 6 months after transplantation. These data included delayed graft function, any treated rejection episodes and the 6-month estimated glomerular filtration rate. The nomograms were internally validated using 10-fold cross-validation. RESULTS: The renal function nomogram had an r-square value of 0.13. It worked best when predicting estimated glomerular filtration rate values between 50 and 70 ml per minute per 1.73 m(2). The 5-year graft survival nomograms had a concordance index of 0.71 for the pretransplant nomogram and 0.78 for the 6-month posttransplant nomogram. Calibration was adequate for all nomograms. CONCLUSIONS: Nomograms based on data from the United Network for Organ Sharing registry have been validated to predict the 1-year estimated glomerular filtration rate and 5-year graft survival. These nomograms may facilitate individualized patient care in living donor kidney transplantation.

Alfuzosin 10 mg once daily increases the chances of successful trial without catheter after acute urinary retention secondary to benign prostate hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of Alfuzosin XL 10 mg once daily for the acute management of acute urinary retention (AUR) with placebo in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and to determine the predictors that impact this. METHODS: 67 patients presenting with an initial episode of spontaneous AUR secondary to BPH were catheterized and were then prospectively randomized to receiving placebo or 10 mg Alfuzosin XL once daily for 2 days. The allocation and administration of treatment were double-blinded. The primary outcome measure was the rate of successful trial off catheter (TWOC) after 2 days. Clinical characteristics including intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP) by transabdominal ultrasound were also assessed using uni- and multivariate analysis for their impact on successful TWOC. RESULTS: Three patients withdrew from the study, 2 due to adverse effects of the trial medication. Analysis on an intention-to-treat basis showed a significantly greater proportion of patients in the Alfuzosin XL group (21 of 35 or 60%) had a successful TWOC compared with patients in the placebo group (11 of 32 or 34%) (p = 0.036). Patients with grade 3 IPP (>10 mm) had a significantly lower chance of successful TWOC (p = 0.04) compared to grade 1 (10 mm are more likely to fail TWOC on Alfuzosin XL.

Right Living Donor Nephrectomies: Retroperitoneoscopic vs Laparoscopic Transperitoneal Approach.

Retroperitoneoscopic right living donor nephrectomy (RLDN) provides direct access to the renal hilum without the need to mobilize the colon. However, factors such as lack of anatomic landmarks to guide orientation, smaller working space, and steep learning curve provided a debate against this approach. In this retrospective study, we reviewed our single-center experience of retroperitoneoscopic RLDN. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2015 and January 2017, 10 patients underwent retroperitoneoscopic RLDN by a single surgeon at the National University Hospital, Singapore. Baseline demographics, intraoperative parameters, and both donor and recipient outcomes were retrieved from the database. RESULTS: Mean (SD) age was 52.7 (13.8) years, mean (SD) body mass index was 25.2 (2.9) kg/m2, mean (SD) operating time was 196.8 (38.0) minutes, mean (SD) warm ischemic time was 5.1 (2.1) minutes, and mean (SD) blood loss was 43 (25.0) mL. Mean (SD) renal vein length was 10 (2.5) mm, and mean (SD) renal artery length was 6 (1.8 mm). One patient had to be converted to laparoscopic transperitoneal nephrectomy. No donors developed complications. Mean (SD) hospital stay was 3.5 (1.1) days. All transplanted right kidneys had immediate graft function with no complications. Mean (SD) serum creatinine (at 1 year) was 103.6 (20.3) µmol/L. There is no graft loss among the recipient after 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Right donor nephrectomy can be performed safely using retroperitoneoscopic approach. Retroperitoneoscopy offers advantages, especially in a patient who previously had transabdominal surgery or high body mass index. However, transperitoneal approach may be preferable in anomalous situations because it provides instinctive orientation from anatomic landmarks and a greater working space.

Renal Artery Diameter Is a Surrogate Marker for Kidney Volume in Living Kidney Donors.

Donor kidney volume (KV) is an increasingly important parameter evaluated before living kidney donation; however, KV measurements on computed tomographic (CT) scanning requires a manually intensive process of manual or semiautomatic segmentation of kidneys with interobserver variation. Renal artery diameter (RAD) is an easier marker to measure, and this study aims to investigate the relationship between donor RAD and KV. METHODS: A retrospective review of 77 patients who underwent living donor nephrectomy was conducted. Bilateral KVs were measured based on contrast-enhanced CT scan imaging, and renal artery maximum diameter was measured by direct visualization on the arterial phase of transverse CT sections. RESULTS: On regression analysis, there was a significant association between the right and left RADs and their ipsilateral KVs with a regression coefficient of 7.9 (95% CI, 1.3-14.5; P = .02) and 9.8 (95% CI, 3.3-16.3; P = .004), respectively. Mean total RAD correlated with total KV with a regression coefficient of 9.3 (95% CI, 3.8-14.7; P = .001) and weakly correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate with a Pearson coefficient of .10. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that renal artery size is positively associated with KV and may be used as an easily measured surrogate marker for kidney size with its attended implications in living donor transplantation.

A meta-analysis of local anesthesia for transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate.

This meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of periprostatic nerve block (PPNB) and intrarectal local anesthestic (IRLA) gel in alleviating pain during prostate biopsy. Electronic databases MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and EMBASE were searched to identify all randomized controlled trials comparing PPNB with periprostatic placebo injection, no injection or with IRLA. Studies for inclusion were identified and extracted by two authors independently. The main outcome measure was patients' assessment of mean pain scores on a 10-point scale at the end of the biopsy procedure. Secondary outcomes were complications and adverse events. Continuous data from the trials were combined by calculating the weighted mean difference (WMD) with its 95% confidence interval. In total, 25 studies met the inclusion criteria. Twenty studies involving 1685 patients compared PPNB with either no anesthesia or with placebo injection controls, showing a significant reduction in pain score in the anesthetic group (WMD -2.09, 95% CI -2.44 to -1.75, P<0.00001). Five studies with 466 patients compared IRLA and control. Although IRLA was associated with pain reduction, the effect size was not statistically significant (WMD -0.22, 95% CI -0.56 to 0.12). Six studies with 872 patients compared PPNB with IRLA, showing a significant pain reduction in the former group (WMD -1.53, 95% CI -2.67 to -0.39, P=0.008). No trials reported an increase in complications in the treatment arms. In conclusion, the evidence from randomized controlled trials shows that local anesthetic given as a PPNB, but not as an intrarectal instillation, is effective and safe in alleviating pain from transrectal ultrasound biopsy of the prostate.

Seminal vesicle calculus after transurethral resection of ejaculatory duct.

We report a case of symptomatic seminal vesicle calculus following transurethral resection of ejaculatory duct. A 37-year-old male, who had previously undergone transurethral resection of ejaculatory duct, presented with perineal discomfort and graveluria. Computed tomography revealed a calculus situated within a dilated left seminal vesicle. The patient was treated with cystoscopy and litholapaxy of the seminal vesicle calculus. Although rare, our case demonstrates that seminal vesicle calculi formation can occur following treatment of ejaculatory duct obstruction, possibly secondary to urinary reflux and stasis.

Control of pain during transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy: a prospective study comparing two methods.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of intramuscular injection of 75 mg diclofenac sodium and periprostatic nerve block (PPNB) with 1% lignocaine in controlling pain during transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 120 patients undergoing TRUS-guided prostate biopsies were prospectively enrolled in the study. First, 20 patients did not get any form of analgesia/anesthesia and served as control; next, 20 patients received an intramuscular injection of diclofenac sodium. PPNB with 1% lignocaine was performed in the remaining 80 patients. Pain was assessed using Wong-Baker Faces Pain-Rating Scale (0-10). RESULTS: All three groups of patients were comparable at baseline in terms of age, prostate-specific antigen and final histological diagnosis. The mean pain scores (+/-SD) for control, diclofenac and PPNB groups were 5.10 +/- 3.14, 3.70 +/- 2.36 and 2.24 +/- 1.63, respectively. The difference was statistically significant between control and PPNB (p = 0.001), and diclofenac and PPNB (p = 0.002), but not between the control and diclofenac group (p = 0.120). In addition, the proportion of patients having mild or no pain (defined as pain score

Surgical complications of Tenckhoff catheters used in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to audit the early and late complications of open Tenckhoff catheter insertion under local anaesthesia in a single institution. METHODS: A review was carried out on 164 insertions in 139 patients over a three-year period. All patient records were retrospectively analysed until the time of transfer to haemodialysis, death, or to current time if alive and receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Patient characteristics, operative factors, early and late complications were recorded. RESULTS: Early complications were reported in 31 percent of catheter insertions, predominantly wound infections and catheter malfunctions. The factors that were significantly associated with early complications were diabetes mellitus, glomerulonephritis, ongoing sepsis, previous abdominal surgery and prolonged surgical time. Late complications were seen in 26 percent of catheter insertions, mainly CAPD peritonitis. Poor nutritional status had a significant negative impact on late complications. The overall median catheter survival time was 41.9 months (95 percent confidence interval, 25.8-58.0 months). In addition, no significant difference in catheter survival time was detected between those patients with and those without diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSION: Tenckhoff catheter insertion for CAPD is a procedure associated with significant surgical morbidity. Patients with diabetes mellitus, glomerulonephritis and ongoing sepsis are at greater risk of early complications, and hence, must have their conditions stabilised or treated before surgery. In addition, prolonged surgical time and patients with previous abdominal surgery are at increased risk. The rate of complications may be improved by early consideration of patients with poor tolerance of local anaesthetic surgery or with previous abdominal surgery for laparoscopic insertion under general anaesthesia. To prevent late complications dominated by CAPD peritonitis, patients' nutritional status and care of the catheter should both be optimised.

Compensatory Hypertrophy After Living Donor Nephrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that kidney volume enhances the estimation of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in kidney donors. This study aimed to describe the phenomenon of compensatory hypertrophy after donor nephrectomy as measured on computerized tomographic (CT) scans. METHODS: An institutional Domain Specific Review Board (DSRB)-approved study involved approaching kidney donors to have a follow up CT scan from 6 months to 1 year after surgery; 29 patients participated; 55% were female. Clinical chart review was performed, and the patient's remaining kidney volume was measured before and after surgery based on CT scans. eGFR was determined with the use of the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation. RESULTS: Mean parenchymal volume of the remaining kidney for this population (mean age, 44.3 ± 8.5 y) was 204.7 ± 82.5 cc before surgery and 250.5 ± 113.3 cc after donor nephrectomy. Compensatory hypertrophy occurred in 79.3% of patients (n = 23). Mean increase in remaining kidney volume was 22.4 ± 23.2% after donor nephrectomy in healthy individuals. Over a median follow-up of 52.9 ± 19.8 months, mean eGFR was 68.9 ± 12.4 mL/min/1.73 m(2), with 24.1% of patients (n = 7) in chronic kidney disease grade 3. Absolute and relative change in kidney volume was not associated with sex, race, surgical approach, or background of hypertension (P = NS). There was a trend of decreased hypertrophy with increasing age (P = .5; Spearman correlation, -0.12). CONCLUSIONS: In healthy kidney donors, compensatory hypertrophy of the remaining kidney occurs in 79.3% of the patients, with an average increment of about 22.4%. Older patients may have a blunted compensatory hypertrophy response after surgery.

Outcome of Living Donor Transplant Kidneys With Multiple Arteries.

BACKGROUND: Living donor transplantation (LDT) using kidneys with multiple arteries (MA) has previously been reported to be associated with increased complications and poorer outcomes in recipients. The objective of this study was to investigate outcomes of LDT with MA at the National University Hospital of Singapore, an institution with modest kidney transplant volumes. METHODS: From 2007 to 2014, a total of 109 consecutive living donor kidney transplantations were performed. Of the nephrectomies, 91% were left sided. A total of 19 cases involved MA, of which 7 with small polar vessels (<2 mm) were ligated and 12 were revascularized. Baseline characteristics and outcomes were comparable between donor-recipient pairs with MA and single artery (SA). Both groups had equivalent induction and maintenance immunosuppressive regimens. RESULTS: Mean warm ischemia time (minutes) was similar for kidneys with MA and SA (4.3 ± 3.2 vs 3.9 ± 3.2, P = .38). Operative time (minutes) in the recipients was also equivalent (P > .05) for MA and SA (158 ± 39.2 and 145 ± 57.2, respectively). The MA kidney recipients had a lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) on postoperative day 5 compared to SA (56.6 ± 24.2 vs 74.1 ± 35.9 mL/min/1.73 m(2), P = .058). However, eGFR at 1 year was the similar for both groups (64.9 ± 16.2 vs 66.4 ± 18.1 mL/min/1.73 m(2), respectively, P = .76). Delayed graft function rates were 5.6% and 6.6% for MA and SA, respectively (P = .9). There were no surgical complications for LDT recipients within the MA group. Patient and graft survival was 100% in the MA group compared with 98% in the SA group (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: With current surgical techniques, LDT with MA can achieve equally good functional outcomes at 1 year as SA kidneys, with minimal surgical complications.

Bladder repair following iatrogenic cystotomy in irradiated small capacity bladders.

During laparotomy in a previously irradiated and operated pelvis, incidental cystotomies can occur and a tension-free, watertight, two- or three-layer closure of the bladder may be impossible. We herein report two cases of iatrogenic defects of the bladders in post-irradiated pelvises and compare the two different methods of bladder repair employed - an ileal augmentation segment used in the first case and bovine pericardial graft used in the second. Successful closures of the bladder defects were achieved in both cases. Native irradiated bowel and bovine pericardium can be useful substitutes in situations involving bladder defects in a previously irradiated pelvis. The advantages and disadvantages of the two approaches are also herein discussed.

Patellar tendon ruptures in a pair of brothers.

The patellar tendon does not easily rupture due to its considerable high tensile strength. Therefore, in normal individuals, ruptures of the patellar tendon are uncommon. We report three episodes of patellar tendon ruptures in two normally fit and healthy brothers; postulating the possibility of inherent weakness. The treatment options for these injuries are discussed.

Surgical salvage of partial pancreatic allograft thrombosis presenting as ruptured pancreatic cyst: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Vascular thrombosis is an important cause of pancreatic graft loss, and the vast majority is managed using graft pancreatectomy. There are limited reports and case series of successful salvage of the pancreas allograft. We describe a case of partial pancreatic allograft thrombosis presenting as ruptured pancreatic cyst successfully salvaged using a graft distal pancreatectomy. METHODS: We used descriptive retrospective analysis. RESULTS: A 29-year-old patient with type 1 diabetes and end-stage renal failure underwent a simultaneous pancreas kidney transplantation with immediate graft function. The cadaveric pancreas allograft was placed head up in the right iliac fossa with enteric exocrine drainage and standard vascular anastomosis. He presented with compressive symptoms on his bladder 5 months later, and a computed tomography (CT) showed a 4-cm cystic lesion in the body and tail of the pancreas allograft. Spontaneous rupture of the cyst occurred 3 weeks after the initial onset of symptoms with generalized abdominal pain. He underwent graft distal pancreatectomy with good recovery. He remains euglycemic, insulin-free with a normal renal function. Histology of the resected unhealthy graft showed an arterial thrombus with xanthogranulomatous inflammation and necrosis. CONCLUSION: Surgical salvage with graft distal pancreatectomy is feasible for partial pancreatic allograft thrombosis. Cystic lesion in the pancreas is a possible presentation of vascular thrombosis.

A necessary step toward kidney donor safety: the transition from locking polymer clips to transfixion techniques in laparoscopic donor nephrectomy.

Donor safety is of paramount importance in addressing end-stage renal failure through living kidney transplantation. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Class II recall on the use of Hem-o-lok (Teleflex, Limerick, Pennsylvania, United States) polymer clips on the renal artery in laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) in June 2006 following 3 reported cases of donor deaths secondary to slipped ligature. The National University Hospital of Singapore made the transition regarding hilar control in minimally invasive donor nephrectomy, from using polymer and titanium clips to transfixion techniques (pure or hand-assisted laparoscopic) via laparoscopic staples or intracorporeal suturing, respectively. This study assessed safety during the transition in arterial transfixion techniques in minimally invasive donor nephrectomy for both donors and recipients. Forty-five consecutive kidney donors underwent donor nephrectomy over a 2-year period starting from June 2010. A total of 37 donors who underwent LDN (pure laparoscopic or hand-assisted laparoscopic) were included in the analysis. Of the 37 patients, 23 kidney donors had renal arterial control using Hem-o-lok while 14 patients from November 2011 onward underwent transfixion of the renal artery. The 2 groups of donor who underwent renal arterial control by either clips ligature or transfixion technique were comparable. The outcomes for the recipients in each group were similar with no statistical difference between postoperative creatinine level, incidence of delayed graft function, or graft survival at 1 year. We conclude that the transition in renal arterial control technique to transfixion techniques in LDN in line with FDA recommendation is feasible and affords equivalent donor and recipient outcomes.

A case report of an intracaval extrathoracic solitary fibrous tumour.

Solitary fibrous tumours are infrequent neoplasms based in the pleura that are predominantly benign with malignant pathology and behaviour described in 10-36% of cases. Extrathoracic solitary fibrous tumours (ESFTs) have been considered separately to their intrathoracic counterparts and comprise a third of all solitary fibrous tumours. The extrathoracic location was identified as an adverse prognostic factor for local recurrence but not for metastatic disease. So far, there have not been any reports of solitary fibrous tumours demonstrating caval infiltration. We present a case of a benign ESFT infiltrating into the perirenal inferior vena cava. Together with extrauterine leiomyomas, ESFTs should also be considered as a differential diagnosis for the rare benign lesions invading the inferior vena cava.

Incidence of complications after transrectal ultrasonography-guided biopsy of the prostate in a local tertiary institution.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the risk of complications for patients who received periprosthetic nerve block (PPNB) with one percent lignocaine before transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) biopsy of the prostate. METHODS: From 2008 to 2009, data on 526 consecutive patients who underwent prostate biopsy was prospectively recorded and analysed. 475 (90.3 percent) patients received PPNB with 10 ml of one percent lignocaine (Group 1), which was carried out under TRUS-guidance and prior to biopsy. 51 (9.7 percent) patients received diclofenac (100 mg) intramuscular injections or no analgesia (Group 2). Complications were defined as any adverse effects after biopsy. Serious complications were defined as those requiring hospitalisation or invasive/operative procedures for treatment. RESULTS: At baseline, both groups were comparable. The mean prostate-specific antigen level in Group 1 was higher than that in Group 2 (48.6 +/- 13.8 versus 19.0 +/- 4.3 ng/ml; p-value is 0.04). There was no perioperative mortality. Post-procedural complications were reported in 23.4 percent (n is 111) of patients in Group 1 and 25.5 percent (n is 13) in Group 2 (p-value is 0.27). Serious complications were reported in 2.5 percent (n is 12) and 7.1 percent (n is 3) of Group 1 and 2 patients (p-value is 0.10), respectively. Both univariable and logistic regression revealed age below 65 years and pre-procedure complaints of lower urinary tract symptoms as independent predictors for complications (p-values are 0.02 and 0.006, respectively). CONCLUSION: PPNB with one percent lignocaine is a safe analgesic procedure to perform in patients undergoing TRUS biopsy.