Laparoscopic Versus Finger-Assisted Open Donor Nephrectomy Technique: A Possible Safe Alternative.

OBJECTIVES: Despite the present use ofthe laparoscopic technique for living-donor kidney nephrectomy, a search for alternative techniques continues.The aim of this study was to compare finger-assisted open donor nephrectomy versus laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included retrospective data of 95 consecutive donors in a transplant center who were under going donor nephrectomy RESULTS: Donor demographics and clinical characteristics were generally similar between treatment groups. There were fewer female donors in the finger-assisted open donor nephrectomy treatment group (70.5% vs 29.5%; P = .003), but median body mass index was similar between groups (28 vs 26 kg/m²; P = .032). Patients who received laparoscopic donor nephrectomy had longer operative duration (3.5 vs 1.2 h; P < .001), longer combined length of incision (6 vs 5 cm; P = .001), andshorter median hospital length of stay (3 vs 4 days; P < .001). A left nephrectomy was preferred in both groups. Minor postoperative complications occurred less often in the finger-assisted open donor nephrectomy group (14.7% vs 31.6%; P = .0094). Donors who received laparoscopic nephrectomy had lower glomerular filtration rate at 1 year after donation (60 vs 89 mL/min/1.73 m²; P < .001) than donors who received finger-assisted nephrectomy. However, recipients of donors of both procedures had similar glomerular filtration rate at 1 year after transplant (65 vs 69 mL/min/1.73 m²; P = .5). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that finger-assisted open donor nephrectomy is a successful and safe alternative versus laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, providing favorable results for patients in terms of complications and outcomes.

In transition: current health challenges and priorities in Sudan.

A recent symposium and workshop in Khartoum, the capital of the Republic of Sudan, brought together broad expertise from three universities to address the current burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases facing the Sudanese healthcare system. These meetings identified common challenges that impact the burden of diseases in the country, most notably gaps in data and infrastructure which are essential to inform and deliver effective interventions. Non-communicable diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, renal disease and cancer are increasing dramatically, contributing to multimorbidity. At the same time, progress against communicable diseases has been slow, and the burden of chronic and endemic infections remains considerable, with parasitic diseases (such as malaria, leishmaniasis and schistosomiasis) causing substantial morbidity and mortality. Antimicrobial resistance has become a major threat throughout the healthcare system, with an emerging impact on maternal, neonatal and paediatric populations. Meanwhile, malnutrition, micronutrient deficiency and poor perinatal outcomes remain common and contribute to a lifelong burden of disease. These challenges echo the United Nations (UN) sustainable development goals and concentrating on them in a unified strategy will be necessary to address the national burden of disease. At a time when the country is going through societal and political transition, we draw focus on the country and the need for resolution of its healthcare needs.

Consequences of Recipient Obesity on Postoperative Outcomes in a Renal Transplant: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of obesity is increasing rapidly and globally, yet systemic reviews on this topic are scarce. Our meta-analysis and systemic review aimed to assess how obesity affects 5 postoperative outcomes: biopsy-proven acute rejection, patient death, allograft loss, type 2 diabetes mellitus after transplant, and delayed graft function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated peer-reviewed literature from 22 medical databases. Studies were included if they were conducted in accordance with the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology criteria, only examined postoperative outcomes in adult patients, only examined the relation between recipient obesity at time of transplant and our 5 postoperative outcomes, and had a minimum score of > 5 stars on the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for nonrandomized studies. Reliable conclusions were ensured by having our studies examined against 2 internationally known scoring systems. Obesity was defined in accordance with the World Health Organization as having a body mass index of > 30 kg/m(2). All obese recipients were compared versus "healthy" recipients (body mass index of 18.5-24.9 kg/m(2)). Hazard ratios were calculated for biopsy-proven acute rejection, patient death, allograft loss, and type 2 diabetes mellitus after transplant. An odds ratio was calculated for delayed graft function. RESULTS: We assessed 21 retrospective observational studies in our meta-analysis (N = 241 381 patients). In obese transplant recipients, hazard ratios were 1.51 (95% confidence interval, 1.24-1.78) for presence of biopsy-proven acute rejection, 1.19 (95% confidence interval, 1.10-1.31) for patient death, 1.54 (95% confidence interval, 1.38-1.68) for allograft loss, and 1.01 (95% confidence interval, 0.98-1.07) for development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The odds ratio for delayed graft function was 1.81 (95% confidence interval, 1.51-2.13). CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis clearly demonstrated greater risks for obese renal transplant recipients and poorer postoperative outcomes with obesity. We confidently recommend renal transplant candidates seek medically supervised weight loss before transplant.

Surgical Stapler for Right Renal Vein Elongation Using the Inferior Vena Cava in Kidney Transplant.

Elongation of the right renal vein with the inferior vena cava (caval patch) using a vascular stapler offers a safe means of extending the deceased-donor right renal vein, while minimizing the ischemic time of the kidney during preparatory dissection. The aortic patch of the right renal artery also can be preserved, which minimize the danger of arterial stenosis, kinking, and dissection.

Bilateral Nephrectomy for Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease and Timing of Kidney Transplant: A Review of the Technical Advances in Surgical Management of Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Disease.

Autosomal dominant polycystic disease is a multisystem inherited condition affecting the kidneys and is an important cause of end-stage renal disease. Patients with autosomal dominant polycystic disease experience symptoms related to size and cystic nature of their kidneys, which can be difficult to manage. Traditionally, the only surgical option for management was open bilateral/unilateral native nephrectomy, which carried with it significant morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it was deemed unsafe and rarely performed. However, surgery for autosomal dominant polycystic disease has evolved rapidly with the advent of minimally invasive surgery and improved medical management of end-stage renal failure patients. Laparoscopic and hand-assisted laparoscopic techniques have been adopted and have demonstrated reduced morbidity. The timing of this intervention in relation to transplant is controversial and presents a major challenge in managing this patient population.

Indications for renal autotransplant: an overview.

Advances in transplantation led to the first renal autotransplant in 1963 performed due to high ureteral injury sustained during aortic surgery. The procedure involves excision of the kidney and autologous re-implantation. Subsequently, multiple cases of renal autotransplantation have been reported in the literature for a range of indications. This reviews aims to assess the literature and experiences reported to assess the varying indications for renal autotransplant. The evidence and literature generated from experiences in this procedure are largely limited to case reports and relatively small or moderately sized case series. The main indications reported for performing autotransplant broadly includes renovascular disease, ureteral pathology and neoplastic disease. The advent of laparoscopic techniques and their implications on renal autotransplant also are discussed. Varying degrees of success are reported with this procedure with controversial issues surrounding this procedure remain, particularly in the area of neoplastic surgery. Renal autotransplant may be a useful last resort in preventing kidney loss in highly selected circumstances and when conventional methods have failed.

Paratransplant Hernia: A True Emergency After Renal Transplant.

We report a case of paratransplant hernia, a rare surgical complication of a renal transplant. It is caused by entrapment of the bowel through a defect in the peritoneum, which lines on the transplanted kidney. Careful dissection and meticulous surgical technique during transplant, closing any peritoneal defect, regardless of size, can avoid this complication. The prognosis depends on clinical suspicion, prompt diagnosis, and early surgical intervention. If strangulation occurs, the associated mortality is high.

Test of long-term uterine survival after allogeneic transplantation in rabbits.

AIM: To see if: (i) a large vessel aortocaval vascular patch technique may bring about long-term graft survival after allogeneic uterine transplantation (UTn) in a rabbit model; and (ii) fertility can be achieved following natural mating post-allogeneic UTn. METHODS: Allogeneic uterine cross transplantations were performed in New Zealand white rabbits using an aortocaval macrovascular patch harvested as part of the uterine allograft. Five rabbit recipients received a uterine graft from five unrelated donor rabbits. All female rabbits were unrelated and were of proven fertility with at least one previous litter each. Tacrolimus was administrated for immunosuppression post-transplant. Natural mating was attempted if long-term survival had been achieved. The main outcome measures were: (i) long-term recipient survival; (ii) long-term adequate uterine perfusion; and (iii) successful pregnancy post-UTn. RESULTS: All five recipient animals survived the surgery with satisfactory immediate postoperative recovery. Recipients 1, 2 and 4 died within the first 4 postoperative days. Both long-term survivors failed to conceive following introduction of a proven male breeder despite evidence of mating. Necropsy at 9 and 11 months showed a lack of patency of uterine cornua at the point of anastomosis, albeit a small uterus in recipient 3 and a reddish brown amorphous material at the site of the transplanted uterus in recipient 5. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated the feasibility of uterine allotransplantation using a macrovascular patch technique, but could not demonstrate conception because of blocked cornua. To address this, we propose using embryo transfer techniques in order to achieve conception.

The duodenal-jejunal bypass sleeve (EndoBarrier Gastrointestinal Liner) for weight loss and treatment of type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Surgical intervention is now the most effective modality with which to treat severe obesity. There is currently a lack of minimally invasive technology with which we can effectively treat obesity and reverse type 2 diabetes mellitus. The EndoBarrier is a fluoropolymer sleeve that is reversibly fixated to the duodenal bulb and extends 80 cm into the small bowel, usually terminating in the proximal jejunum. This endoscopically inserted device aids weight loss through malabsorption and activating hormonal triggers. METHODS: We conducted a nonsystematic review on worldwide articles published on the MEDLINE database to ascertain progress in the development and use of the EndoBarrier. RESULTS: Most studies used 12-week excess weight loss (EWL) as a primary outcome measure with results ranging from 11.9%-23.6%. One study to date used 52-week EWL as its primary measure with a significant outcome of 47%. Our group has seen this technology cause significant weight loss, resolution of type 2 diabetes mellitus, and improvement in cardiovascular risk factor profile. CONCLUSIONS: The EndoBarrier shows promise in the surgical weight loss arena. This review article summarizes the technical aspects of this new technology, provides preliminary efficacy results, and introduces the roles it may play in the future of bariatric surgery.

Safety of nephrectomy in morbidly obese donors.

OBJECTIVES: To satisfy donor organ shortage, overweight and obese donors are becoming a greater proportion of the kidney donor pool. Although good safety data exist in overweight and moderately obese individuals (body mass index = 25 to 35 kg/m²), there is little information about outcomes in morbidly obese donors (body mass index ≥ 40 kg/m²). The purpose of this study was to review the experience with morbidly obese donors in a single center and assist in the discussion about the feasibility of nephrectomy in such cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Outcomes of nephrectomy in morbidly obese donors between January 2005 and June 2010 were reviewed retrospectively and compared with outcomes in nonobese donors. RESULTS: Of 386 nephrectomies, 7 involved morbidly obese donors. Mortality and major complication rates were low in all body mass index categories. A high incidence of minor postoperative complications was observed in the morbidly obese, with 57% morbidly obese patients requiring treatment for complications including respiratory infection, compared with 30% in nonobese donors (P < .05). There were no significant differences in mean operative time, estimated blood loss, and length of hospital stay between all body mass index categories. Limited follow-up data (mean, 20 mo) showed similar renal function parameters between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The limited data suggest that nephrectomy may be feasible in selected morbidly obese donors. Further study is needed before major conclusions can be made.

Prevention and management of graft thrombosis in pancreatic transplant.

Pancreatic transplant effectively cures type 1 diabetes mellitus and maintains consistent long-term euglycemia. However, technical failure, and in particular graft thrombosis, accounts for the vast majority of transplants lost in the early postoperative period. The pancreas' inherently low microvascular flow state makes it vulnerable to vascular complications, as does the hypercoagulable blood of diabetic patients. Ultimately, the phenomenon is most definitely multifactorial. Prevention, as opposed to treatment, is key and should focus on reducing these multiple risk factors. This will involve tactical donor selection, optimal surgical technique and some form of anticoagulation. Close monitoring and early intervention will be crucial when treating thrombosis once preventative methods have failed. This may be achieved by further anticoagulation, graft salvage, or pancreatectomy with retransplant. This article will explore the multiple factors contributing to graft thrombus formation and the ways in which they may be addressed to firstly prevent, or more likely, reduce thrombosis. Secondly, we will consider the management strategies which can be implemented once thrombosis has occurred.

Kidney transplantation with minimized maintenance: alemtuzumab induction with tacrolimus monotherapy--an open label, randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Immunosuppressive regimens for kidney transplantation which reduce the long-term burden of immunosuppression are attractive, but little data are available to judge the safety and efficacy of the different strategies used. We tested the hypothesis that the simple, cheap, regimen of alemtuzumab induction combined with tacrolimus monotherapy maintenance provided equivalent outcomes to the more commonly used combination of interleukin-2 receptor monoclonal antibody induction with tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil combination maintenance, both regimens using steroid withdrawal after 7 days. METHODS: One hundred twenty-three live or deceased donor renal transplant recipients were randomized 2:1 to receive alemtuzumab/tacrolimus or daclizumab/tacrolimus/mycophenolate. The primary endpoint was survival with a functioning graft at 1 year. RESULTS: Both regimens produced equivalent, excellent outcomes with the primary outcome measure of 97.6% in the alemtuzumab arm and 95.1% in the daclizumab arm at 1 year (95% confidence interval of difference 6.9% to -1.7%) and at 2 years 92.6% and 95.1%. Rejection was less frequent in the alemtuzumab arm with 1- and 2-year rejection-free survival of 91.2% and 89.9% compared with 82.3% and 82.3% in the daclizumab arm. There were no significant differences in terms of the occurrence of opportunistic infections. CONCLUSION: Alemtuzumab induction with tacrolimus maintenance monotherapy and short-course steroid use provides a simple, safe, and effective immunosuppressive regimen for renal transplantation.

Mini-incision donor nephrectomy techniques: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this article is to compare different mini-incision donor nephrectomy techniques in the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We did a literature search using PUBMED using the search term "donor nephrectomy." We compared different surgical techniques using different parameters like length of incision, length of operation, pain medications required after the operation, site of the operation, and intraoperative and postoperative complications. RESULTS: We found 7 different surgical techniques of mini-invasive donor nephrectomy. Hakim and associates described the smallest initial incision size of 4 cm. There also are limited data on the analgesia requirements in 4 of the series, and 3 series that describe the requirements vary. CONCLUSIONS: These techniques offer advantages and disadvantages to the donor and the kidney. We hope to encourage further work. Ideally, there must be a working discussion, long-term outcomes of donor kidney and recipient, as well as accurate pain records, both quantitative and qualitative, and a discussion of time to mobilization.

Acute kidney injury following cardiac surgery: impact of early versus late haemofiltration on morbidity and mortality.

Various forms of renal replacement therapies (RRT) are available to treat acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac surgery. The objective of this review is to assess the incidence of postoperative AKI that necessitates the application of haemofiltration in adult patients undergoing cardiac operations with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), to determine the factors that influence the outcome in these patients. In addition, the review aims to assess the outcomes of postoperative early haemofiltration as compared to late intensive haemofiltration. Different forms of RRT such as intermittent haemodialysis, continuous haemofiltration, or hybrid forms which combine advantages of both are now available for application in cardiac surgery patients, and will be discussed in this article. The underlying disease, its severity and stage, the aetiology of AKI, clinical and haemodynamic status of the patient, the resources available, and different costs of therapy may all influence the choice of the RRT strategy. AKI, with its risk of uraemic complications, represents an independent risk factor for adverse outcomes in critically ill patients after cardiac surgery. Whether early initiation of RRT is associated with improved survival is unknown, and also clear guidelines on RRT durations are still lacking. In particular, it remains unclear whether haemodynamically unstable patients who develop septic shock pre- and postoperatively can benefit from early RRT initiation. In addition, it is not known whether in AKI patients undergoing cardiac surgery RRT modalities can eliminate significant amounts of clinically relevant inflammatory mediators. This review gives an update of information available in the literature on possible mechanisms underlying AKI and the recent developments in continuous renal replacement treatment modalities.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinomas and expression of p53, Bcl-2, and Bcl-X(L).

p53 protein promotes apoptosis, whereas Bcl-2 family proteins have an antiapoptotic function. This study determines the predictive value of selected clinical and histopathological factors in correlation with the expression of p53, Bcl-2, and Bcl-X(L) proteins in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). Paraffin-embedded sections from 19 surgically resected primary esophageal SCCs were examined by immunohistochemistry. p53 expression was related to degree of tumor differentiation (P = 0.044). Bcl-2 expression was associated with regional lymph node metastasis (P = 0.053), whereas Bcl-X(L) expression was correlated with distant metastasis (P = 0.060) and with the expression of Bcl-2 protein (P = 0.068). p53 and Bcl-2 family proteins may help to estimate the properties of esophageal SCCs and provide useful information to the oncologist for the selection of patients for intensive combined therapy modalities with curative intention or for palliative therapy.

Apoptosis and adenocarcinoma of the cardia: expression of p53, Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, WAF1, and fas proteins and association with characteristics of the tumors.

Our knowledge regarding the biology of the gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinomas is still incomplete. Paraffin-embedded sections from 31 surgically resected primary cardia adenocarcinomas were examined by immunohistochemistry. Statistical analysis showed that Bcl-2 expression was significantly correlated with the age of the patients (P = 0.043), whereas Bcl-X(L) expression was inversely correlated with Bcl-2 expression (P = 0.021). An inverse correlation of high statistical significance was also found between p53 and Bcl-2 expression (P = 0.000). Fas expression was highly correlated with tumor stage (P = 0.006), degree of differentiation (P = 0.044), and the stage of the disease (P = 0.029). A significant correlation was also observed between the expression levels of WAF1 and Fas (P = 0.037), Fas and Bcl-X(L) (P = 0.018), and WAF1 and p53 (P = 0.018). These proteins may contribute to the estimation of the properties of adenocarcinomas of the gastroesophageal junction, facilitating prognosis of cancer patients treated by multimode therapy.

End-stage vascular access: direct intra-atrial insertion of a dialysis catheter.

Central venous occlusions are a frequent problem in hemodialysis patients. We describe the case of a patient with end-stage vascular access in whom we successfully inserted a direct intra-atrial dialysis line during coronary artery bypass grafting. This technique could be a significant contribution to patients in whom alternative vascular access options are exhausted.

Relationship between vessel size and vascular access patency based on preoperatively ultrasound Doppler.

Vascular access is a critical issue in the management of patients with end-stage renal failure and is the leading cause of hospitalization in this group of patients. The object of this study was to find out whether it would be possible to predict vascular access patency rates based on preoperative Doppler assessment of vessel size. Furthermore, this study sought to define the relationship between access flow rate and access patency. This was a prospective cohort conducted at St. Mary Hospital, London, between 2002 and 2005, where a group of 83 patients who underwent venous and arterial Doppler prior to creation of arteriovenous access underwent regular postoperative assessment at 3-month intervals of their access using flow rate and usability of the access as outcome measures. The collected data showed a positive correlation between vein size and access patency rate. Preoperative vein diameters of 1.5-3.9 mm showed a patency rate of 71.08% at follow-up at 13.8 months (range, 12-42 months). Although large-sized vessels are correlated with long-term patency, smaller vein diameters (1.5-2 mm) were found to have an acceptable patency rate at 20% over 12 months. Furthermore, data indicated a positive correlation between access flow rate and access patency, with flow rates of above 700 ml/min being associated with a patency rate of 70% at 12-month follow-up.