A Stentless Modified Lich-Gregoir Technique for Safe Early Bladder Catheter Removal in Living and Deceased Kidney Transplants.

OBJECTIVES: To describe a stentless modified Lich-Gregoir technique (mLG) for ureteroneocystostomy in renal transplantation (RT), with early bladder catheter (BC) removal (under 48 hours), and compare the postoperative results with those of the traditional technique (LG) with routine bladder catheter removal (4 to 5 days). The modification consists of maintaining a thin layer of detrusor fibers covering the bladder mucosa during dissection, which is incorporated into the anastomosis to reinforce the ureteroneocystostomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study compared the postoperative outcomes of 100 consecutive patients who underwent mLG with early removal of BC between October 2018 to November 2019 with those of a historical cohort of 165 consecutive patients transplanted using stentless LG and routine removal of BC, who underwent surgery between July 2017 and September 2018. All transplants were performed by the same surgeon. Follow-up was 6 months. RESULTS: Demographic characteristics were comparable, although patients in the mLG group had a higher mean preoperative urine volume (911 ± 753.8mL vs 629 ± 638.6mL, P =.016). Patients in the mLG group successfully underwent early BC removal (2.2 ± 0.9 vs 4.8 ± 4.8 days, P <.001), with no differences in the incidence of surgical or clinical complications, including urine leaks (1% vs 3%, P =.284). In addition, mLG patients presented a shorter mean length of hospital stay (6.5 ± 5.0 vs 7.1 ± 6.2 days, P =.023). CONCLUSION: This stentless modified Lich-Gregoir technique enables safe early bladder catheter removal and is associated with reduced hospital length of stay.

Kidney transplantation in the time of COVID-19: Dilemmas, experiences, and perspectives.

INTRODUCTION: Hospital do Rim is a high-volume kidney transplant (KT) center located in São Paulo, a city with 12.2 million inhabitants. Over the last 18 years, we performed 11 436 KT, 70% of which from deceased donors. To mitigate the effects of reduction in the number of transplants on the waiting list, sequential measures were implemented when COVID-19 was declared pandemic. METHODS: The first step was to provide SARS-COV-2 RT-PCR testing for all symptomatic employees and patients and the compulsory use of personal protective equipment in the hospital facilities. Living donor KT were postponed, and all deceased donors and recipients were tested before the transplantation. The immunosuppressive protocols were maintained, and telehealth strategies were developed. RESULTS: Among the 1013 employees, there were 214 cases of COVID-19, nine required ward hospitalization, and no deaths occurred. In 26%, the probable source of contamination was occupational. From the first patient diagnosed with COVID-19 in 03/20/2020 till 10/21/2020, 523 deceased KT were performed, a 21% increase compared with 2019, with no confirmed donor-derived SARS-CoV-2 infection. Four patients were transplanted with a positive pretransplant SARS-CoV-2 test, but none of them developed the disease. Overall, of 11 875 KT followed in our center, 674 developed COVID-19. Among the hospitalized, 53% required mechanical ventilation, and 45% required hemodialysis. Their overall mortality rate was 27.5%. CONCLUSION: This experience shows the challenges that transplant centers faced as the pandemic unfolded and illustrates the effectiveness of the sequential measures implemented to provide a safe environment for transplantation.

Urological Complications Associated With Pyeloureterostomy Without Ipsilateral Nephrectomy in Renal Transplant Recipients.

Background: The implications of ligating the native ureter without ipsilateral nephrectomy after primary kidney transplant pyeloureterostomy (PU) have been described previously. Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study including 4,215 kidney transplants performed between February 2010 and December 2014, analyzed urological complications following primary (P-PU) and secondary (S-PU) pyeloureterostomy used to treat urological leaks (UL-PU) and ureteral stenosis (US-PU) without concomitant ipsilateral nephrectomy, in a large cohort of patients. Results: There were 495 (11.7%) pyeloureterostomy with native ureter ligation without nephrectomy, 409 P-PU (82.6%) and 86 S-PU (17.4%), of which 76 were UL-PU and 10 were US-PU. The median follow-up was 33.8 months. The incidence of native ipsilateral kidney complications requiring nephrectomy was 2.02% (n = 10). Urinary leak was diagnosed in 3.6% of patients after P-UP and 9.2% after UL-PU. Ureteral stenosis was diagnosed in 1.7% of patients after P-UP, 3.9% after UL-PU and 10% after US-PU. Conclusion: This cohort analysis suggests that native ureter ligation during pyeloureterostomy without native nephrectomy is associated with low incidence of clinically indicated ipsilateral native nephrectomy. Caution and awareness should be emphasized in patients with history of ADPKD and neurogenic augmented bladders.

Pretransplant defunctionalized bladder-overrated condition?

AIMS: The objective of this study was to evaluate the expression of bladder receptors in patients with defunctionalized bladder (DB) and to assess voiding behavior after refunctionalization. METHODS: A total of 68 pretransplant patients were divided in two groups: DB (diuresis <300 mL/24 h; n = 33) and NDB (non-DB; diuresis ≥300 mL/24 h; n = 35). A sample of mucosa and detrusor at the site of the future ureteral implantation was collected. The following receptors were assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR): M2 , M3 , α1D , ß3 , P2X2 , P2X3 , TRPV1, TRPV4, TRPA1, and TRPM8. At 3, 6, and 12 months after transplant patients answered IPSS and ICIQ-OAB questionnaires and filled a 3-day 24 h frequency/volume chart (FVC) at 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: The expression of all receptors in the mucosa and in the detrusor was similar in both groups, except from α1D , which was overexpressed in the detrusor of DB relatively to NDB group. ICIQ-OAB symptom score was similar between the groups at 3, 6, and 12 months. There was a reduction of this score in both groups with time. The same pattern was found for IPSS score. Bother scores were similar between groups. No difference was observed for all FVC parameters between DB and NDB patients. CONCLUSION: Gene expression of bladder receptors involved in micturition control was similar in patients with or without DB. Bladder behavior had a similar pattern independently of pretransplant residual diuresis. These findings question the relevance of the term DB in pretransplant patients.