Scedosporium Infection in Recipients of Kidney Transplants from Deceased Near-Drowning Donor.

Scedosporium aurianticum infection developed in 2 recipients of kidney transplants in India, acquired from the same deceased near-drowning donor. Given the substantial risk for death associated with Scedosporium infection among solid-organ transplant recipients, safety protocols for organ transplantation from nearly drowned donors should be thoroughly revaluated and refined.

Outcomes after lung resection in renal transplant patients with pulmonary mucormycosis.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary mucormycosis has been associated with high mortality (reported up to 100%) in renal transplant recipients. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of renal transplant patients with pulmonary mucormycosis between April 2014 and March 2020, who underwent surgical resection of the affected lung along with liposomal amphotericin therapy. Patients with lower respiratory illness features underwent chest X-ray, high-resolution computed tomography of the chest, and those with suspicious findings underwent analysis of bronchioloalveolar fluid and transbronchial lung biopsy. Patients with histological or microbiological evidence of mucormycosis were started on liposomal Amphotericin B. Tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil were stopped at the time of diagnosis. RESULT: Ten patients underwent combined management, while five patients were managed medically. At last follow up, seven out of ten patients (70%) who underwent combined management and two of the five patients (40%) who were managed medically, had a mean survival of 28.86 months (sd = 15.71, median = 25) and 14.17 months (sd = 12.21, median = 18), respectively, post-diagnosis of pulmonary mucormycosis. CONCLUSION: Surgical resection combined with antifungals in the perioperative period and decreased immunosuppression may improve the outcomes in renal transplant patients with pulmonary mucormycosis.

Risk factors for mortality in kidney transplant recipients with COVID-19: a single centre experience and case-control study.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 infection is considered to cause high mortality in kidney transplant recipients (KTR). Old age, comorbidities and acute kidney injury are known risk factors for increased mortality in KTR. Nevertheless, mortality rates have varied across different regions. Differences in age, comorbidities and varying standards of care across geographies may explain some variations. However, it is still unclear whether post-transplant duration, induction therapy, antirejection therapy and co-infections contribute to increased mortality in KTR with COVID-19. The present study assessed risk factors in a large cohort from India. METHODS: A matched case-control study was performed to analyze risk factors for death in KTR (N = 218) diagnosed with COVID-19 between April 2020 to July 2021 at the study centre. Cases were KTR who died (non-survivors, N = 30), whereas those who survived were taken as controls (survivors, N = 188). RESULTS: A high death-to-case ratio of 13.8% was observed amongst study group KTR infected with COVID-19. There was a high incidence (12.4%) of co-infections, with cytomegalovirus being the most common co-infection among non-survivors. Diarrhea, co-infection, high oxygen requirement, and need for mechanical ventilation were significantly associated with mortality on regression analyses. Antirejection therapy, lymphopenia and requirement for renal replacement therapy were associated with worse outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The mortality was much higher in KTR who required mechanical ventilation and had co-infections. Mortality did not vary with the type of transplant, post-transplant duration and usage of depletion induction therapy. An aggressive approach has to be taken for an early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention of associated infections.

The effect of pulse pressure variation compared with central venous pressure on intraoperative fluid management during kidney transplant surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Traditionally, fluid administration during kidney transplant surgery is guided by central venous pressure (CVP) despite its limited reliability as a parameter for assessing intravascular fluid volume, particularly in patients with cardiovascular diseases. The recommended goals at graft reperfusion are a mean arterial pressure of 90 mm Hg and a CVP of 12-14 mm Hg. This approach may increase the risk of significant adverse effects due to volume overload. Perioperative fluid therapy guided by dynamic indices of fluid responsiveness has been shown to optimize intravascular volume and prevent complications associated with overzealous administration of fluids in major abdominal surgeries. We hypothesized that pulse pressure variation (PPV)-guided fluid administration would result in better optimization of intravascular fluid volume compared with a CVP-guided strategy during kidney transplant surgery. METHODS: In this single-centre randomized double blinded trial, 77 end-stage renal disease patients, who underwent kidney transplant surgery under general anesthesia with epidural analgesia, were randomized to receive either CVP-guided (n = 35) or PPV-guided (n = 35) fluid therapy using predefined hemodynamic endpoints. The primary outcome was the total volume of intraoperative fluids administered. Secondary outcomes were intraoperative hemodynamic changes, serum lactate levels, serum creatinine, need for dialysis within the first week, creatinine elimination ratio, and incidence of immediate and delayed graft dysfunction. RESULTS: Results were analyzed for 70 patients. Eighty percent of the patients underwent living-related donor allograft kidney transplant. Operative variables related to donor characteristics, duration of surgery, graft cold ischemia time, and blood loss were comparable in both groups. The mean (standard deviation) volume of intravenous fluids administered intraoperatively was 1,346 (337) mL in the PPV-guided group vs 1,901 (379) mL in the CVP-guided group (difference in means, 556 mL; 95% confidence interval, 385 to 727; P = 0.001). There were no significant differences in secondary outcomes between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Pulse pressure variation -guided fluid administration significantly decreased the total volume of crystalloids compared with CVP-guided fluid therapy during the intraoperative period in patients who underwent kidney transplant surgery. Nevertheless, our study was underpowered to detect differences in secondary outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.ctri.nic.in (CTRI/2018/01/011638); registered 31 January 2018.

RéSUMé: CONTEXTE: Traditionnellement, l'administration liquidienne pendant une chirurgie de transplantation rénale est guidée par la pression veineuse centrale (PVC) et ce, malgré sa fiabilité limitée en tant que paramètre d'évaluation du volume liquidien intravasculaire, en particulier chez les patients atteints de maladies cardiovasculaires. Les objectifs recommandés lors de la reperfusion du greffon sont une tension artérielle moyenne de 90 mmHg et une PVC de 12­14 mmHg. Cette approche pourrait augmenter le risque d'effets indésirables importants dus à une surcharge volémique. Il a été démontré que la thérapie liquidienne périopératoire guidée par des indices dynamiques de réponse au remplissage optimisait le volume intravasculaire et prévenait les complications associées à l'administration liquidienne exagérée lors de chirurgie abdominale majeure. Nous avons émis l'hypothèse qu'une administration liquidienne guidée par la variation de pression différentielle (VPD et delta PP) entraînerait une meilleure optimisation du volume liquidien intravasculaire par rapport à une stratégie guidée par la PVC pendant une chirurgie de transplantation rénale. MéTHODE: Dans cette étude randomisée monocentrique à double insu, 77 patients atteints d'insuffisance rénale terminale, qui ont bénéficié d'une greffe rénale sous anesthésie générale avec analgésie péridurale, ont été randomisés à recevoir une administration liquidienne guidée soit par la PVC (n = 35) ou par la VPD (n = 35) en utilisant des critères hémodynamiques prédéfinis. Le critère d'évaluation principal était le volume total de liquides peropératoires administrés. Les critères secondaires comprenaient les variations hémodynamiques peropératoires, les taux sériques de lactate, la créatininémie, le besoin de dialyse au cours de la première semaine, le taux d'élimination de la créatinine et l'incidence de dysfonctionnement immédiat et retardé du greffon. RéSULTATS: Les résultats ont été analysés pour 70 patients. Quatre-vingts pour cent des patients ont subi une allogreffe de rein provenant d'un donneur vivant apparenté. Les variables opératoires liées aux caractéristiques du donneur, la durée de la chirurgie, le temps d'ischémie froide du greffon et les pertes sanguines étaient comparables dans les deux groupes. Le volume moyen (écart type) de liquides intraveineux administrés en peropératoire était de 1346 (337) mL dans le groupe guidé par VPD vs 1901 (379) mL dans le groupe guidé par PVC (différence de moyennes, 556 mL; intervalle de confiance à 95 %, 385 à 727; P = 0,001). Aucune différence intergroupe significative n'a été observée dans les critères d'évaluation secondaires. CONCLUSION: L'administration liquidienne guidée par la variation de pression différentielle a significativement diminué le volume total de cristalloïdes par rapport à la thérapie liquidienne guidée par la PVC pendant la période peropératoire chez les patients ayant bénéficié d'une greffe de rein. Néanmoins, notre étude ne disposait pas de la puissance suffisante pour détecter les différences dans les critères d'évaluation secondaires. ENREGISTREMENT DE L'éTUDE: www.ctri.nic.in (CTRI/2018/01/011638); enregistré le 31 janvier 2018.

Simultaneous endovascular revascularization of external iliac artery dissection and transplant renal artery stenosis in a recent renal allograft recipient.

Various vascular complications following renal transplantation include renal artery and vein thrombosis, renal artery stenosis, pseudoaneurysm, and iliac artery dissection. Transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS) is the most common, while iliac artery dissection is the rarest of these various vascular complications. We describe an elderly male, who had both external iliac artery dissection and TRAS at 2 months following renal transplantation. He underwent successful percutaneous endovascular intervention of both complications. The post-intervention course was uneventful, with improvement in graft renal functions and left lower limb perfusion.

As diversas complicações vasculares possíveis após um transplante renal incluem trombose da veia e artéria renais, estenose da artéria renal, pseudoaneurisma e dissecção da artéria ilíaca. Entre essas diversas complicações, a estenose da artéria renal transplantada é a mais comum, enquanto a dissecção da artéria ilíaca é a mais rara. Relatamos o caso de um homem idoso que desenvolveu tanto dissecção da artéria ilíaca quanto estenose da artéria renal transplantada 2 meses após transplante renal. As intervenções endovasculares percutâneas foram bem-sucedidas em ambas as complicações. O período pós-intervenção cursou sem complicações, com melhora na função renal do enxerto e na perfusão do membro inferior esquerdo.

Endovascular Treatment of an External Iliac Artery Dissection Causing Early Renal Graft Dysfunction.

Vascular complications such as renal artery or renal vein thrombosis and laceration and iliac artery dissection are rarely encountered after renal transplantation. Timely management of these vascular complications is important to prevent ischemic injury of a transplanted kidney. We hereby report a case of a 60-year-old male who had acute renal dysfunction due to iatrogenic left external iliac artery dissection after renal transplantation. An endovascular stenting of the dissected iliac artery resulted in a brisk flow across both iliac and transplanted renal arteries. The management issues related to this rare vascular complication is discussed in the article.

Esophageal tuberculosis with coexisting opportunistic infections in a renal allograft transplant recipient.

We report a renal allograft transplant recipient with esophageal tuberculosis (TB) coinfected with herpes simplex virus (HSV) and Candida. The patient presented with oropharyngeal candidiasis and was started on fluconazole. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed whitish patches with mucosal ulcers in the esophagus. Histopathological examination confirmed TB and HSV infection. The patient recovered after antiviral, antifungal, and anti-tubercular therapy with reduction in immunosuppression. In a TB-endemic zone, TB can coexist with opportunistic infections in an immunocompromised host.

Evaluation of oxidant and antioxidant status in living donor renal allograft transplant recipients.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the oxidant and antioxidant status in living donor renal allograft transplant recipients. Ninety-two renal transplant recipients with mean age of 34.75 ± 11.22 years were included in the present study. Venous samples of the recipients were drawn: before the transplant (baseline), 5 min after reperfusion, and 2 weeks after transplant. Samples were processed for the measurement of markers of oxidant and antioxidant status viz. malondialdehyde, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, reduced glutathione, ascorbic acid, and total antioxidant system. The mean baseline levels of reduced glutathione, ascorbic acid, and total antioxidant system were 1.61 ± 0.84 mg/g hemoglobin, 3.64 ± 1.49 mg/dL, and 1.42 ± 0.14 mmol/L which decreased at 5 min after reperfusion to 1.32 ± 0.72 (p = 0.010), 2.96 ± 1.25 (p = 0.002), and 1.36 ± 0.12 (p = 0.042), respectively. The malondialdehyde levels increased from a baseline value of 3.11 ± 1.02 µmol/mL to 3.32 ± 1.09 at 5 min after reperfusion (p = 0.344) and 4.01 ± 1.21 (p = 0.000) at 2 weeks. Glutathione peroxidase level decreased from 68.59 ± 32.79 units/g hemoglobin (baseline) to 63.65 ± 32.92 at 5 min after reperfusion (p = 0.530) and increased significantly at 2 weeks to 86.38 ± 37.18 (p = 0.00). There was no significant change in the catalase level. In living donor renal transplantation, oxidative stress starts after reperfusion and is reflected by fall in antioxidant factors and enzymes in the early period. Over the next 2 weeks, there is increased oxidative stress and simultaneous strengthening of antioxidant system which is implied by increase in malondialdehyde and improvement in the markers of antioxidant status.

Simultaneous Liver and Kidney Transplantation in a Patient With Telomere Biology Disorder: A Case Study.

Organ transplantation is the primary therapy for organ failure caused by telomere biology disorder (TBD). We describe the first documented case of simultaneous liver and kidney transplantation (SLKTx) for TBD, although the diagnosis of TBD was reached only three months following SLKTx. The patient was born prematurely, displayed growth retardation, and developed chronic kidney and liver diseases. His pre-SLKTx autoimmune, metabolic, and viral assessments were negative, and persistent pancytopenia (bone marrow cellularity 70-80%) was attributed to renal disease-associated bone marrow changes. Following SLKTx, he was discharged with stable graft function on tacrolimus and prednisolone. Although mycophenolate mofetil was discontinued on the second postoperative day, his pancytopenia persisted. Despite extensive evaluations, including drug, immune, nutritional, and viral assessments, all results were negative. A bone marrow biopsy conducted three months post-transplant revealed significant hypocellularity (40-50%). Whole genome sequencing revealed a likely pathogenic variant of the TINF2 gene. The patient was subsequently treated with danazol. At the nine-month follow-up post-SLKTx, he exhibited stable graft function and improved cell counts while maintaining triple-drug immunosuppression. Given the lack of uniform diagnostic criteria for TBD, healthcare providers must be vigilant with patients presenting with multi-organ failure and persistent cytopenias. Effective pre-transplant screening for TBD can lead to timely diagnoses, better management, and improved post-transplant outcomes.

A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study on Management Protocols and Clinical Outcomes After ABO-incompatible Kidney Transplantation in India.

BACKGROUND: There is no robust evidence-based data for ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation (ABOiKT) from emerging countries. METHODS: Data from 1759 living donor ABOiKT and 33 157 ABO-compatible kidney transplantations (ABOcKT) performed in India between March 5, 2011, and July 2, 2022, were included in this retrospective, multicenter (n = 25) study. The primary outcomes included management protocols, mortality, graft loss, and biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR). RESULTS: Protocol included rituximab 100 (232 [13.18%]), 200 (877 [49.85%]), and 500 mg (569 [32.34%]); immunoadsorption (IA) (145 [8.24%]), IVIG (663 [37.69%]), and no induction 200 (11.37%). Mortality, graft loss, and BPAR were reported in 167 (9.49%), 136 (7.73%), and 228 (12.96%) patients, respectively, over a median follow-up of 36.3 mo. In cox proportional hazard model, mortality was higher with IA (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.53 [1.62-3.97]; P < 0.001), BPAR (HR: 1.83 [1.25-2.69]; P = 0.0020), and graft loss (HR: 1.66 [1.05-2.64]; P = 0.0310); improved graft survival was associated with IVIG (HR: 0.44 [0.26-0.72]; P = 0.0010); higher BPAR was reported with conventional tube method (HR: 3.22 [1.9-5.46]; P < 0.0001) and IA use (HR: 2 [1.37-2.92]; P < 0.0001), whereas lower BPAR was reported in the prepandemic era (HR: 0.61 [0.43-0.88]; P = 0.008). Primary outcomes were not associated with rituximab dosing or high preconditioning/presurgery anti-A/anti-B titers. Incidence of overall infection 306 (17.39%), cytomegalovirus 66 (3.75%), and BK virus polyoma virus 20 (1.13%) was low. In unmatched univariate analysis, the outcomes between ABOiKT and ABOcKT were comparable. CONCLUSIONS: Our largest multicenter study on ABOiKT provides insights into various protocols and management strategies with results comparable to those of ABOcKT.

Outcome of tibio-saphanous arteriovenous fistula in patients with failed upper extremity dialysis access: A report of two cases.

Arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) are the preferred access for hemodialysis in patient with end stage renal disease. Usually, distal vessels of upper limb are preferred. There are situations in which the upper limb cannot be a site for AVFs or graft as in cases of bilateral central venous stenosis or with exhausted sites in upper limb. In these cases, lower limb AVF can be considered. Tibial-saphanous (ankle) fistula should be the preferred site over femoral AVF/graft following the principle of distal to proximal. Also, femoral AVFs are associated with more ischemic and infective complications. The present report describes successful hemodialysis in two patients with tibial-saphanous fistula a site rarely used as an option for HD access. Hemodialysis for over 1 year in one patient and 6 months in the other portrays the success of this approach.

Impact of a trained vascular access coordinator on a vascular access program in India.

BACKGROUND: Native AV fistulas are the ideal access for hemodialysis but require monitoring and multiple interventions in some patients to keep them functioning. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the appointment of a trained vascular access coordinator (VAC) for fistula monitoring, on the evolution of the vascular access program at our institute. METHOD: Data was retrieved from the departmental database for the baseline year 2014 and compared with the data from 2018. Initial review showed that appointment of the VAC in 2015 resulted in a steady increase in the number of AV fistula interventions over 2 years to a plateau in 2018 which was chosen as the comparison year. The number of AVF's created, number of salvage procedures performed, and follow-up data were compared. Other parameters like number of operation theatre hours, surgeons, and nursing staff remained constant during this period. RESULT: Total numbers of AVFs increased from 511 to 713 (39.3%). The number of follow-up visits to surgeons reduced from an average of 4-0.25 visits per patient during this period. Follow up Doppler examinations increased from 761 to 1296 (70%) indicating improved follow up. The salvage procedures increased from 44 to 161 (272%) with early detection of fistula dysfunction. Primary and secondary patency rates of 86% and 92% at 3 months could be achieved whereas limited follow-up data was available for 2014. CONCLUSION: Appointment of trained VAC increased the number of vascular access procedures, improved follow-up care, and led to early detection and intervention for access dysfunction while reducing the workload of surgeons.

Challenges in Brain-Death Certification in India.

The determination of Brain Death (BD)/Death by neurological criteria (DNC) is now widely accepted among various international societies following the World Brain Death project recommendation. As per the World Brain Death project, ancillary testing should be performed when standard brain-death examination components are inconclusive or cannot be performed. BD was defined legally in 1994 under the Transplantation of Human Organs Act (THOA). However, even after 27 years of the formulated law, there are no guidelines in the THOA regarding the determination of BD using ancillary tests. The present brief report describes two instances where ancillary tests like four-vessel angiography and transcranial doppler-aided brain-death certification were done. It is the first available literature from our country where ancillary tests aided in confirmation of BD when the standard clinical components of DNC could not be performed.

Application of Ex Vivo Normothermic Machine Perfusion in Deceased Donors With Acute Kidney Injury With Successful Renal Transplantation: A Preliminary Experience.

Ex vivo normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) has improved organ preservation and viability assessment among heart, liver, and lung transplantation. However, literature regarding the application of NMP in human clinical kidney transplantation remains limited. Numerous kidneys, especially from donors with stage 3 acute kidney injury (AKI), are not utilized concerning the high rate of delayed graft function (DGF) and primary nonfunction. The present study investigated the impact of NMP (135-150 min) on short-term outcomes after kidney transplantation from deceased donors with AKI. Methods: Graft outcomes of NMP kidneys were compared with contralateral kidneys stored in static cold storage (SCS) from the same donor with AKI during December 2019-June 2021. The study's primary aim is to assess the safety and feasibility of NMP in deceased donors with AKI. The primary outcome was DGF. Secondary outcomes were duration of DGF, biopsy-proven rejection, postoperative intrarenal resistive index, postoperative infections, hospital stay duration, primary nonfunction, and kidney function estimated glomerular filtrate rate at discharge, 3 mo, and 1 y. Results: Five pairs of AKI kidneys (NMP versus SCS) were included in the final analysis. The results show no statistically significant differences in clinical outcomes between NMP versus SCS kidneys; however, NMP kidneys demonstrated slightly improved estimated glomerular filtrate rate at 3 mo (59.8 ± 5.93 [59] versus 75.20 ± 14.94 [74]) mL/min/1.73 m2 (P < 0.065) and at the last follow-up (12-29 mo) (72.80 ± 10.71 [75]) versus (94 ± 22.67 [82]) mL/min/1.73 m2 (P < 0.059) as compared with SCS kidneys. A higher proportion of NMP kidneys had normal intrarenal resistive index (0.5-0.7) and mild acute tubular injury on protocol biopsy, suggesting NMP is safe and feasible in deceased donors with acute kidney injury. Conclusions: NMPs of AKI donor kidneys are safe and feasible. A larger cohort is required to explore the reconditioning effect of NMP on AKI kidneys.

Management strategies and outcomes in renal transplant recipients recovering from COVID-19: A retrospective, multicentre, cohort study.

Background: There is an enormous knowledge gap on management strategies, clinical outcomes, and follow-up after kidney transplantation (KT) in recipients that have recovered from coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Methods: We conducted a multi-center, retrospective analysis in 23 Indian transplant centres between June 26, 2020 to December 1, 2021 on KT recipients who recovered after COVID-19 infections. We analyzed clinical and biopsy-confirmed acute rejection (AR) incidence and used cox-proportional modeling to estimate multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for predictors of AR. We also performed competing risk analysis. Additional outcome measures included graft loss, all-cause mortality, waiting time from a positive real-time polymerase test (RT-PCR) to KT, laboratory parameters, and quality of life in follow-up. Findings: Among 372 KT which included 38(10·21%) ABO-incompatible, 12(3·22%) sensitized, 64(17·20%) coexisting donors with COVID-19 history and 20 (5·37%) recipients with residual radiographic abnormalities, the incidence of AR was 34 (9·1%) with 1(0·26%) death censored graft loss, and 4(1·07%) all-cause mortality over a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 241 (106-350) days. In our cox hazard proportional analysis, absence of oxygen requirement during COVID-19 compared to oxygen need [HR = 0·14(0·03-0·59); p-value = 0·0071], and use of thymoglobulin use compared to other induction strategies [HR = 0·17(0·03-0.95); p-value = 0·044] had a lower risk for AR. Degree of Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DR mismatch had the highest risk of AR [HR = 10.2(1·74-65·83); p-value = 0·011]. With competing risk analysis, with death as a competing event, HLA DR mismatch, and oxygen requirement continued to be associated with AR. Age, gender, obesity, inflammatory markers, dialysis vintage, steroid use, sensitization and ABO-incompatibility have not been associated with a higher risk of AR. The median duration between COVID-19 real time polymerase test negativity to transplant was 88(40-145) days (overall), and ranged from 88(40-137), 65(42-120), 110(49-190), and 127(64-161) days in World Health Organization ordinal scale ≤ 3, 4, 5, and 6-7, respectively. There was no difference in quality of life, tacrolimus levels, blood counts, and mean serum creatinine assessed in patients with a past COVID-19 infection independent of severity. Interpretation: Our findings support that the outcomes of KT after COVID-19 recovery are excellent with absence of COVID-19 sequelae during follow-up. Additionally, there does not seem to be a need for changes in the induction/immunosuppression regimen based on the severity of COVID-19. Funding: Sanofi.

Use of autogenous internal iliac artery for bridging the external iliac artery after excision of Aspergillus mycotic aneurysm in renal transplant recipients.

Repair of vascular defects in the presence of infection remains a challenging task in immunocompromised patients. We report two patients with postrenal transplant Aspergillus mycotic aneurysms of the allograft renal artery involving the external iliac artery which were excised along with the allograft. The defect in the external iliac artery was repaired successfully with interposition of autogenous internal iliac artery graft. Use of an internal iliac artery graft in such settings has been rarely reported in English literature. Autogenous internal iliac artery grafts provide a useful method to bridge the vascular defects created by radical debridement in the presence of fungal infections.

Deceased Donor Renal Transplantation: A Single Center Experience.

INTRODUCTION: Deceased donor kidney transplant are still not common across India. This study was done to assess various measures taken at a single center level to increase organ donation rate and to analyse the outcomes of transplants performed from these donors. METHODS: All deceased donor renal transplants performed from November 2011 to February 2017 were analysed for patient and death censored graft survival, rate of delayed graft function, rate of rejection and mortality. Kaplan Meir analysis for Survival Curves was used. RESULTS: Organ donation rate at our center improved from one donation every alternate year in 2004 to a peak of 44 donations in 2017. Patient survival was 93.42%, 89.44%, 85.53%, and death censored graft survival was 94.07%, 88.21%, and 82.86% at 1, 2 and 3 years respectively. Mean duration of hemodialysis pre transplantation was 34.6 ± 27.43 months. CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown that steps taken at a single center level alone can also significantly improve organ donation rates. Employment of dedicated professionals including transplant surgeons and coordinators, developing a protocol-based approach for referral, and early counseling in triage along with regular audits can help to establish deceased donor program with acceptable outcomes elsewhere in the country.

Normal Saline Versus Balanced Crystalloids in Renal Transplant Surgery: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Study.

Background The importance of optimal acid-base balance during renal transplant surgeries cannot be stressed enough. Optimal preload and electrolyte balance is important in maintaining this. There has been a debate on the choice of perioperative crystalloids in renal transplant surgeries over the past decades. Normal saline (0.9% saline) is more likely to cause hyperchloremic acidosis when compared to balanced salt solutions (BSS) with low chloride content whereas BSS may cause hyperkalemia. We aim to compare the safety and efficacy of normal saline (NS), Ringer's lactate (RL) and Plasmalyte (PL) on acid-base balance and electrolytes during living donor kidney transplantation. Materials and methods Patients were randomized to NS group (n = 60), RL group (n = 60) and Plasmalyte group (n = 60). Arterial blood samples were collected for acid-base analysis after induction of anaesthesia (T0), prior to clamping the iliac vein (T1), 10 minutes after reperfusion of the donated kidney (T2) and at the end of surgery (T3). In addition, serum creatinine and 24-hour urine output were recorded on postoperative days one, two and seven. Results There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) in the pH at the end of surgery between the three groups with the NS group being more acidotic (pH 7.29 ± 0.06, 95% CI 7.27-7.32), although this was not clinically relevant. This was explainable by the parallel increase in chloride in the NS group. Early postoperative graft functions in terms of serum creatinine, urine output and graft failure requiring dialysis were not significantly different between the groups. Conclusion Balanced salt solutions such as Plasmalyte and Ringer's lactate are associated with better pH and chloride levels compared to normal saline when used intraoperatively in renal transplant patients. This difference, however, does not appear to have any bearing on graft function. Plasmalyte seems to maintain a better acid-base and electrolyte balance, especially during the postreperfusion period.

Experience With 15 Years of Laparoscopic Donor Nephrectomy: Review of 2500 Cases.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) is considered the gold standard for live donor nephrectomies owing to lesser pain, shorter hospitalization, and earlier return to normal activities, yet it remains a technically challenging surgery. Repetition of a highly skilled task such as LDN should lead to improved performance reflected in shorter surgery times and a decrease in adverse events. METHODS: The records of over 2524 LDNs from February 2004 to June 2019 were evaluated for duration of surgery (from incision time to clamping of the renal artery) and occurrence of complications. RESULTS: The mean duration of surgery ± SD from incision to clamp time for the first 100 cases at the inception of LDN was 166.13 ± 33.28 minutes whereas it was 124.59 ± 35.91 minutes for the best 100 consecutive cases in 2015 with a decrease of 41 minutes duration of surgery from incision to artery clamping. The adverse events were accessory renal artery injury (n = 10), splenic laceration (n = 2), bowel and mesocolon injuries (n = 12), venous or arterial clip slippage (n = 4), inferior vena cava tear (n = 2) pneumothorax (during stapler application, n = 1), missing gauze counts (n = 1), chylous ascites (n = 1), ureteric thermal injury (n = 2), and renal parenchyma injury (n = 3). CONCLUSIONS: LDN is a technically demanding surgery where surgeon experience appears to affect operative metrics such as operative time. The occurrence of intraoperative complications appears to be acceptably low, although serious complications are a possibility.