Hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy: 1864 cases in 15 years of experience.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (HALDN) in terms of intraoperative and postoperative results. METHODS: After institutional review board approval was obtained, a total of 1864 HALDN operations performed between March 2007 and January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Age, sex, body mass index (BMI), status of smoking and presence of previous abdominal surgery, laterality, operative time, transfusion requirement, port counts, length of extraction incision, time until mobilization, time until oral intake, donor serum creatinine levels before and one week after the surgery, length of postoperative hospital stay, intraoperative complications, and postoperative recovery and complications were recorded and statistically analyzed. Multiple renal arteries, BMI, right nephrectomy and male sex were also separately evaluated as risk factors for complications and operative time. RESULTS: A total of 825 (44.26%) male and 1039 (55.74%) female patients were enrolled in the study. The mean age of the patients was 45.79 ± 12.88 years. There were a total of 143 complications (7.67% of the total 1864 cases) consisting of 68 (3.65%) intraoperative and 75 (4.02%) postoperative complications. Open conversion was necessary for 10 patients (0.53%) to manage intraoperative complications. Reoperation was needed for 1 patient due to bleeding 6 h after the operation. Multiple renal arteries were a risk factor for intraoperative complications and prolonged operative time. Right nephrectomy and male sex were also related with longer operative times. DISCUSSION: HALDN is a safe procedure associated with low complication rates.

Significance of caveolin-1 immunohistochemical staining differences in biopsy samples from kidney recipients with BK virus viremia.

BK virus infections which usually remains asymptomatic in healthy adults may have different clinical manifestations in immunocompromised patient population. BK virus reactivation can cause BK virus nephropathy in 8% of kidney transplant patients and graft loss may be seen if not treated. Clathrin or Caveolar system is known to be required for the transport of many viruses from Polyomaviruses family including BK viruses. In this study, kidney transplant patients with BK virus viremia were divided into two groups according to the BK virus nephropathy found in kidney biopsy (Group I: Viremia+, Nephropathy+ / Group II: Viremia+, Nephropathy-). Kidney biopsies were examined with immunohistochemical staining to determine the distribution and density of the Caveolin-1 and Clathrin molecules. Immunohistochemical staining of the 31 pathologic specimens with anti-caveolin-1 immunoglobulin revealed statistically significant difference between group-I and group-II. The number of the specimens stained with anti-caveolin-1 was less in group I. On the other hand, we did not find any difference between the groups regarding the anti-clathrin immunochemical analysis. According to these findings, caveolin-1 expression differences in kidney transplant patients may be important in disease progression.

Improving the urine spot protein/creatinine ratio by the estimated creatinine excretion to predict proteinuria in pediatric kidney transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Since the daily creatinine excretion rate (CER) is directly affected by muscle mass, which varies with age, gender, and body weight, using the spot protein/creatinine ratio (Spot P/Cr) follow-up of proteinuria may not always be accurate. Estimated creatinine excretion rate (eCER) can be calculated from spot urine samples with formulas derived from anthropometric factors. Multiplying Spot P/Cr by eCER gives the estimated protein excretion rate (ePER). We aimed to determine the most applicable equation for predicting daily CER and examine whether ePER values acquired from different equations can anticipate measured 24 h urine protein (m24 h UP) better than Spot P/Cr in pediatric kidney transplant recipients. METHODS: This study enrolled 23 children with kidney transplantation. To estimate m24 h UP, we calculated eCER and ePER values with three formulas adapted to children (Cockcroft-Gault, Ghazali-Barratt, and Hellerstein). To evaluate the accuracy of the methods, Passing-Bablok and Bland-Altman analysis were used. RESULTS: A statistically significant correlation was found between m24 h UP and Spot P/Cr (p < .001, r = 0.850), and the correlation was enhanced by multiplying the Spot P/Cr by the eCER equations. The average bias of the ePER formulas adjusted by the Cockcroft-Gault, Ghazali-Barratt, and Hellerstein equations were -0.067, 0.031, and 0.064 g/day, respectively, whereas the average bias of Spot P/Cr was -0.270 g/day obtained by the Bland-Altman graphics. CONCLUSION: Using equations to estimate eCER may improve the accuracy and reduce the spot urine samples' bias in pediatric kidney transplantation recipients. Further studies in larger populations are needed for ePER reporting to be ready for clinical practice.

Case report: A kidney transplant patient with mild COVID-19.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is currently a pandemic with a mortality rate of 1%-6% in the general population. However, the mortality rate seems to be significantly higher in elderly patients, especially those hospitalized with comorbidities, such as hypertension, diabetes, or coronary artery diseases. Because viral diseases may have atypical presentations in immunosuppressed patients, the course of the disease in the transplant patient population is unknown. Hence, the management of these patients with COVID-19 is an area of interest, and a unique approach is warranted. Here, we report the clinical features and our treatment approach for a kidney transplant patient with a diagnosis of COVID-19. We believe that screening protocols for SARS-Cov-2 should be re-evaluated in patients with solid-organ transplants.

Risk factors for febrile urinary tract infections in the first year after pediatric renal transplantation.

Urinary tract infection is the most common infectious complication following kidney transplant. Anatomic abnormalities, bladder dysfunction, a positive history of febrile urinary tract infection, and recipient age are reported risk factors. The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors for fUTI, which necessitated hospitalization in the first year after renal transplantation in our pediatric transplant population. A retrospective review of 195 pediatric patients who underwent kidney transplant between 2008 and 2017 from a single institution was performed. All patients admitted to the hospital with fUTI were marked for further analyses. The risk factors including age, gender, dialysis type, history of urologic disorders, and preoperative proteinuria for fUTI in the first year after kidney transplantation and graft survivals were investigated. Independent-sample t test and chi-square tests were used for univariate analysis. Exhaustive CHAID algorithm was used for multivariate analysis. The data of 115 male and 80 female patients were retracted. The mean ages of our cohort for males and females were 9.5 ± 5.1 and 10 ± 4.8 years, respectively. The age of the patients at transplant and their gender were found to be a statistically significant risk factors for developing fUTIs. Multivariate analysis showed that fUTI was common in female patients and a subgroup of male patients who had preoperative proteinuria, but no neurogenic bladder had higher risk compared with male patients without proteinuria. Patient surveillance and antibiotic prophylaxis algorithms can be developed to prevent febrile urinary tract infections seen after pediatric kidney transplantation in risky population.

Ipsilateral versus contralateral placement of the pancreas allograft in pancreas after kidney transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: In a diabetic, uremic kidney transplant recipient that may receive a future pancreas after kidney (PAK) transplant, the kidney is typically implanted on the left side in anticipation of the subsequent pancreas transplant on the right side. In this study, we sought to determine if ipsilateral PAK (iPAK) is as safe as contralateral PAK (cPAK). METHODS: The 115 PAK transplants (iPAK n = 57, cPAK n = 58) were performed from 1997-2010 and results were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Kidney graft survival and pancreas graft survival was similar between the two groups. Kidney graft function according to serum creatinine and eGFR was not different between the cPAK and the iPAK groups and there were no episodes of kidney graft thrombosis in either group. Subgroup analyses focusing on donor source also did not show worse outcomes for graft survivals in iPAK group when compared to cPAK group. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreas and kidney graft survival in PAK transplants is unaffected by the surgical procedure and iPAK is safe.

Concurrent biopsies of both grafts in recipients of simultaneous pancreas and kidney demonstrate high rates of discordance for rejection as well as discordance in type of rejection - a retrospective study.

It is commonly assumed that in simultaneous pancreas and kidney (SPK) recipients, rejection of the two organs is concordant. As a result, concurrent biopsies of both organs are rarely performed and there are limited histological data on how often rejection is in fact discordant. We reviewed all SPK recipients transplanted at the University of Wisconsin between January 01, 2001, and December 31, 2016, that underwent biopsy of both organs. We included all patients whose biopsies were within 30 days. If patients were treated for rejection between biopsies, they were excluded if the biopsies were more than 4 days apart. Ninety-one simultaneous biopsies were performed within 30 days of each other, and 40 met our inclusion criteria. A total of 25 (62.5%) patients had concordance of biopsy findings: 11 had rejection of both organs, and 14 had no rejection of either organ. The other 15 (37.5%) were discordant for rejection, with 10 having pancreas-only rejection and five kidney-only rejection. It was striking to find that four of the 11 patients with concordance for rejection (36%) had different types (AMR, ACR, or mixed) of rejection in the two organs. This large series of simultaneous pancreas and kidney biopsies demonstrates the continued utility of performing biopsies of both organs.

Pancreas transplantation in older patients is safe, but patient selection is paramount.

Pancreas transplant outcomes have progressively improved. Despite this, some centers have continued to employ historical age limits for pancreas transplant candidates. We sought to determine the importance of chronological age in determining patient and graft survival rates after pancreas transplantation. A single-center, retrospective study of adult, deceased donor simultaneous pancreas and kidney (SPK) and solitary pancreas transplants (SP, including pancreas transplant alone and pancreas after kidney transplants) in recipients ≥ 55 years (55 + ), occurring between July 1, 1999, and June 30, 2012, was performed. Seven-hundred and forty patients underwent pancreas transplantation, of which 28 patients were 55 + . Patient survival was comparable for younger and older pancreas transplant recipients. Both non-death-censored and death-censored pancreatic graft survival rates were similar in younger and in older patients. Patients aged 45-54 and those aged 55 +  had more frequent cardiovascular events than younger pancreas transplant recipients. There was no difference in renal graft survival for SPK patients when compared with diabetic kidney transplant alone recipients aged 55 years and older. Older pancreas transplant recipients had acceptable long-term patient and graft survival rates, although complications may occur. Chronological age alone should not exclude a patient for pancreas transplant candidacy.

Histopathological evaluation of orchiectomy specimens in 51 late postpubertal men with unilateral cryptorchidism.

PURPOSE: We evaluate the histopathological features of uncorrected undescended testis presenting at a late postpubertal age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 51 men (age 20 to 24 years) diagnosed with inguinal unilateral undescended testis found on routine examination for military recruits. None was evaluated or treated for undescended testis previously. All of the men had a normal contralateral testis and no other observed phenotypic alterations, and all had undergone unilateral orchiectomy. The surgical specimens were first examined histologically, and sections were additionally examined with immunohistochemical methods using antibodies against CD117 and OCT3/4 proteins to verify the presence of intratubular germ cell neoplasia. RESULTS: Histopathology revealed the presence of germ cells at different maturation levels in 26 of 51 (51%) cases. There were 28 cases (55%) with different degrees of basal membrane thickening. A decrease in seminiferous tubule diameter was observed in 23 (45%) patients. Six patients (12%) had dystrophic calcification and 12 (24%) had Leydig cell hyperplasia. Although morphological evaluation did not show intratubular germ cell neoplasia in any patients, 1 with germ cells had positivity for OCT3/4 and CD117 staining. Therefore, 1 case out of 51 had diagnosed intratubular germ cell neoplasia. CONCLUSIONS: There was a wide range of histopathological changes in undescended testis. Nearly half the patients may still have significant germ cell activity at a variety of maturation levels. The incidence of intratubular germ cell neoplasia was 2% in this group. Intratubular germ cell neoplasia may be overlooked with hematoxylin and eosin staining so immunohistochemical study should be added for evaluation.

The efficacy of radiographic anatomical measurement methods in predicting success after extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy for lower pole kidney stones.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of lower pole calyceal anatomy on clearace of lower pole stones after extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) by means of a new and previously defined radiographic measurement method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-four patients with solitary radiopaque lower pole kidney stones were enrolled in the study. Infundibulopelvic angle (IPA), infundibulotransverse angle (ITA), infundibular lenght(IL), and infundibular width (IW) were measured on the intravenous urographies which were taken before the procedure. RESULTS: 48 of 64 patients (75%) were stone-free after a follow-up period of 3 months. The IPA,ITA,IL and IW were determined as statistically significant factors, while age,gender and stone area were found to have no impact on clearance. CONCLUSION: By the help of radiographic measurement methods related to lower pole kidney anatomy, appropriate patient selection and increment in success after ESWL may be achieved.

Should Calcineurin Inhibitors/Sirolimus Be Ceased Completely In Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome?

BACKGROUND: To investigate the relationship between immunosuppressive treatments and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) in transplant patients. METHODS: We presented a retrospective study of 4 cases of PRES in transplant patients. Patient records were reviewed to identify potential risk factors, clinical presentations, radiological findings, and immunosuppressive treatments used. RESULTS: Our analysis revealed a potential association between immunosuppressive treatments and the development of PRES in transplant patients. Specifically, we found that adjusting or switching immunosuppressive treatments can improve outcomes and prevent the recurrence of PRES. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight the importance of recognizing PRES as a potential complication of immunosuppressive treatments in transplant patients. Early detection and management, including a review of immunosuppressive treatments, may improve patient outcomes and prevent further complications.

New Tools for Data Harmonization and Their Potential Applications in Organ Transplantation.

In organ transplantation, accurate analysis of clinical outcomes requires large, high-quality data sets. Not only are outcomes influenced by a multitude of factors such as donor, recipient, and transplant characteristics and posttransplant events but they may also change over time. Although large data sets already exist and are continually expanding in transplant registries and health institutions, these data are rarely combined for analysis because of a lack of harmonization. Promoted by the digitalization of the healthcare sector, effective data harmonization tools became available, with potential applications also for organ transplantation. We discuss herein the present problems in the harmonization of organ transplant data and offer solutions to enhance its accuracy through the use of emerging new tools. To overcome the problem of inadequate representation of transplantation-specific terms, ontologies and common data models particular to this field could be created and supported by a consortium of related stakeholders to ensure their broad acceptance. Adopting clear data-sharing policies can diminish administrative barriers that impede collaboration between organizations. Secure multiparty computation frameworks and the artificial intelligence (AI) approach federated learning can facilitate decentralized and harmonized analysis of data sets, without sharing sensitive data and compromising patient privacy. A common image data model built upon a standardized format would be beneficial to AI-based analysis of pathology images. Implementation of these promising new tools and measures, ideally with the involvement and support of transplant societies, is expected to produce improved integration and harmonization of transplant data and greater accuracy in clinical decision-making, enabling improved patient outcomes.

Effects of erector spinae plane block on opioid consumption in patients undergoing hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The erector spinae plane block is a relatively new regional anesthesia technique that is expected to provide some benefits for postoperative analgesia. This study investigated the effects of erector spinae plane block on postoperative opioid consumption in kidney donors undergoing hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy for renal transplantation. METHODS: Fifty-two donors scheduled for elective hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy were randomly divided into the block (25 donors) and control (27 donors) groups. Donors in the block group received 30 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine under ultrasound guidance, whereas the control group received no block treatment. The primary outcome measure was the amount of fentanyl administered via patient-controlled analgesia at 24 h. Secondary outcomes included the duration of stay, opioid consumption in the post-anesthesia care unit, and pain scores during the recording hours. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between the groups regarding total opioid consumption converted to intravenous morphine equivalent administered via patient-controlled analgesia (33.3±21.4 mg vs. 37.5±18.5 mg; P=0.27) and in the postanesthesia care unit (1.5±0.9 mg vs. 1.4±0.8 mg; P=0.55). The duration of stay in the postanesthesia care unit (86.3±32.6 min vs. 85.7±33.6 min; P=0.87) was similar between the groups. There was no significant difference between the groups in the postoperative donor-reported NRS pain scores (P>0.05 for all the time points). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative erector spinae plane block is not an effective strategy for reducing postoperative pain or opioid consumption in patients undergoing hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. Different block combinations are needed for optimal pain management in hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy.

Experience of kidney transplantation to a patient with Bernard Soulier syndrome: A case report.

Renal transplantation could be a challenging operation in patients with haemorrhagic diathesis, with predictable difficulties or even with unpredictable hurdles. Bernard Soulier Syndrome (BSS) is one of the ethiologies of the thrombocytopenia and it is a rare hereditary disease associated with defects of the platelet glycoprotein complex glycoprotein Ib/V/IX and characterized by large platelets, thrombocytopenia, and severe bleeding symptoms. Here, we present a challenging renal transplantation in BSS.

Hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy in kidneys with multiple renal arteries versus a single renal artery: An analysis of vascular complications from 1,350 cases.

OBJECTIVE: Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) has been shown to be a safe approach with better morbidity results. Impact of multiple renal arteries (MRAs) and anatomical variations has been reviewed by many authors. In our study, the relationship between the donors with MRAs and risk of perioperative vascular complications related to donor nephrectomy was investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients who underwent hand-assisted LDNs between January 2007 and February 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. Patient age, sex, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, side of donor nephrectomies, donors with MRAs, intraoperative vascular complications, conversion rates, hospitalization durations, and operative times were extracted. Risk factors for perioperative vascular complications were defined. RESULTS: There were MRAs in 288 kidney donors (21.3%). The number of patients who underwent a right donor nephrectomy was 113 (8.4%). BMI, waist circumference, and postoperative hospital stay were not significantly different between donors with one artery and those with MRAs (p>0.05). The renovascular complication rate and overall conversion rate to open surgery were significantly higher in donors with MRAs (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Perioperative safety of the kidney donors is of crucial importance. Surgeons performing LDNs must be aware of the potential risks. Our analysis suggests that procurement of kidneys from donors with MRAs is a risk factor for renovascular complications.

Oligosymptomatic Kidney Transplant Patients With COVID-19: Do They Pose a Risk to Other Recipients?

The clinical course of viral infections in patients under immunosuppression can be atypical and/or fatal if not diagnosed and treated appropriately. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may also have an atypical presentation. Contrary to the general opinion, transplant patients may be asymptomatic or oligosymptomatic, which could be a risk factor for underdiagnosis and the dissemination of this viral disease. This study presents the clinical features of 2 oligosymptomatic kidney transplant patients diagnosed with COVID-19. We suggest that new screening algorithms for COVID-19 should be reconsidered for the transplant patient population.

Multifocality incidence and accompanying clinicopathological factors in renal cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of multifocality and associated clinicopathological factors in renal cell carcinoma were evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinicopathological characteristics were assessed for 122 renal cell carcinoma-pathological specimens from 121 patients. Microscopic and gross tumor pathology, incidence of multifocality as well as association between tumor grade, histological subtype, stage, size and vascular involvement were assessed. RESULTS: Multifocal renal cell carcinoma was diagnosed in 16 of 122 specimens (13.1%). Satellite lesions for 15 of 16 specimens displaying multifocality had the same histological subtype as their primary tumor. The occult multifocality rate was 11.4%. Tumor grade and stage, but not size or volume, histological subtype, and vascular involvement were significantly related to multifocality. CONCLUSIONS: Accurate staging of renal cell carcinoma appears to be essential in determining whether a patient should undergo nephron-sparing surgery or radical nephrectomy. Patients with high stage and grade should receive the highest attention after nephron-sparing surgery. Larger studies are needed to further elucidate the association between clinicopathological factors and multifocality.

Increased expression of CD44s in conventional renal cell carcinomas with renal vein or vena cava thrombosis. a retrospective evaluation of the expression of CD44s by immunohistochemical analysis in conventional RCC patients and in conventional RCC patients with renal vein or vena cava thrombosis.

OBJECTIVES: CD44 is thought to play an important role in the tumorigenesis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We retrospectively evaluated the expression of CD44s by immunohistochemical analysis in conventional RCC patients and in conventional RCC patients with renal vein or vena cava thrombus and investigated the differences in the pattern of expression of CD44s between the two groups. METHODS: Thirty RCC specimens and four RCC specimens with renal vein and five RCC specimens with vena cava thrombus were analyzed immunohistochemically using a CD44s-specific antibody. The expression of CD44s in RCC with renal vein or vena cava thrombus was compared with the expression of CD44s in RCC without renal vein or vena cava extention. RESULTS: Of the 30 tumor specimens without thrombus, 16 (53%) expressed CD44s. Staining was also positive in all of the nine specimens with thrombus. CD44s expression was weak in the tumour specimens without thrombus. RCC specimens with renal vein or vena cava thrombus exhibited strong positive staining for CD44s. CONCLUSIONS: The increased expression of CD44s seems to be correlated with tumor thrombus formation in renal vein or vena cava. CD44s may play a role in the formation of renal vein or vena cava extention.

Kidneys with small renal masses: Can they be utilized for kidney transplantation in the era of partial nephrectomy?

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively evaluate our database to determine our partial nephrectomy and radical nephrectomy rates and to see percentage of the discarded kidneys which were suitable for transplantation after radical nephrectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients who underwent radical or partial nephrectomy between January 2000 and December 2016 were identified. Only stage I tumors according to tumor, node, metastasis classification were included in this review. Tumor size, location, proximity to renal collecting system and hilum were considered while deciding the suitability of a kidney for transplantation. RESULTS: A statistically significant gradual increase in the number of patients treated with partial nephrectomy was observed (p=0.00001). Only 17 out of 181 kidneys with a tumor size smaller than 3 cm could be an appropriate candidate for a renal transplantation if they were to be transplanted. CONCLUSION: Exact number of the discarded kidneys with small renal masses which can be used for kidney transplantation should be determined by large scale studies. A national or governmental policy may only be developed to utilize these discarded organs after the magnitude of the wasted kidneys can be determined.

The Importance and Utility of Hemoglobin A1c Levels in the Assessment of Donor Pancreas Allografts.

BACKGROUND: Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) levels are often obtained in potential pancreas graft donors to assess the overall long-term functional glycemic control or the possibility of unrecognized diabetes. Although routinely measured, the impact of donor HbA1c levels on pancreas graft outcomes has not been reported. Here, we researched the relationship between donor HbA1c levels and postoperative pancreas graft survival. METHODS: Data from 266 pancreas transplant patients including 182 simultaneous kidney-pancreas and 84 pancreas alone transplants were reviewed for the study. The patients were separated into groups according to their HbA1c levels (5 groups: HbA1c < 5.0, 5.0-5.4, 5.5-5.9, ≥6.0 % and not available, or 2 groups: HbA1c <5.7, ≥5.7%). Overall, death-censored and technically successful pancreas graft survival and rejection rates of each group were compared. In the case of technically successful graft survival, graft losses due to technical problems in the first 60 days were excluded. RESULTS: All groups were similar with regard to donor variables including age, sex, ABO blood type, ethnicity, donor type and recipient variables including recipient age, sex, induction agents and maintenance treatment. Mean follow-up time was 4.2 ± 1.97 years. The overall graft survivals and death censored graft survivals among groups were not statistically different from one other (P > 0.05). Additionally, excluding early technical losses in 18 patients did not reveal any differences in graft survivals. Patient survival and biopsy-proven acute rejections were statistically similar among HbA1c strata. CONCLUSIONS: This univariate retrospective analysis of a single center/organ procurement organization use of HbA1c shows that donor HbA1c levels between 3.5 and 6.2 in otherwise transplantable pancreata are not associated with different short-term outcomes.