Persistent hyperparathyroidism is a major risk factor for fractures in the five years after kidney transplantation.

The risk of fractures after kidney transplantation is high. Hyperparathyroidism frequently persists after successful kidney transplantation and contributes to bone loss, but its impact on fracture has not been demonstrated. This longitudinal study was designed to evaluate hyperparathyroidism and its associations with mineral disorders and fractures in the 5 posttransplant years. We retrospectively analyzed 143 consecutive patients who underwent kidney transplantation between August 2004 and April 2006. The biochemical parameters were determined at transplantation and at 3, 12 and 60 months posttransplantation, and fractures were recorded. The median intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) level was 334 ng/L (interquartile 151-642) at the time of transplantation and 123 ng/L (interquartile 75-224) at 3 months. Thirty fractures occurred in 22 patients. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for PTH at 3 months (area under the ROC curve = 0.711, p = 0.002) showed that a good threshold for predicting fractures was 130 ng/L (sensitivity = 81%, specificity = 57%). In a multivariable analysis, independent risk factors for fracture were PTH >130 ng/L at 3 months (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] = 7.5, 95% CI 2.18-25.50), and pretransplant osteopenia (AHR = 2.7, 95% CI 1.07-7.26). In summary, this study demonstrates for the first time that persistent hyperparathyroidism is an independent risk factor for fractures after kidney transplantation.

[Post-transplantation lymphomas and Epstein-Barr virus]. / Lymphomes post-transplantation et virus Epstein-Barr.

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) are recognized as a devastating complication of organ transplantation. Their occurrence appears to vary according to the transplanted organ and the type and the level of administered immunosuppressive therapy. In kidney transplants the incidence is estimated between 1 and 2%. PTLD represent a clinically and morphologically heterogeneous group of lymphoid proliferations. They have been closely associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and the spectrum of manifestations after transplantation range from an infectious mononucleosis-like syndrome to more serious polyclonal or monoclonal lymphoproliferation, the treatment of which is not well defined and, relying on immuno- and chemotherapy. Oncogenicity of EBV is not yet completely understood, but may implicate latent viral gene expression of EBNA or LMP as well as Th2 cytokines. Detection and monitoring of EBV induced lymphoid abnormalities are necessary to start early efficient antiviral treatment. Prophylactic antiviral therapy has to be considered.

Laparoscopy: an alternative to surgery in patients treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Fifteen laparoscopic abdominal operations were performed in 14 patients treated by continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis for chronic renal failure. Celioscopic exploration of the abdomen and subsequent operation displayed several advantages specific to the method: identification of the etiology of scrotal dialysate outflow was achieved in 4 cases, peritoneal dialysis catheter salvage during laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 1 case, abdominal exploration during occurrence of peritonitis in 3 cases, and catheter dysfunction or abdominal examination before catheter implantation in 7 cases. The laparoscopic procedure allows early resumption of peritoneal dialysis after surgery, hence avoiding the need for transient hemodialysis. Nevertheless, it seemed unable to offer a salvage capability of infected catheters through extensive abdominal washing. Laparoscopy has been reported to decrease postoperative pain and disorders of ventilation, allowing for rapid recovery of social and professional activities following this minimal invasive surgical technique. Laparoscopy is a novel technique which enables precise diagnosis and surgical operations in patients treated by continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

[Laparoscopic surgery: a new alternative to abdominal surgery in renal insufficiency treated by CAPD]. / La coelio-chirurgie: une nouvelle alternative à la chirurgie abdominale chez l'insuffisant rénal traité par DPCA.

Six laparoscopic abdominal operations were performed in five patients with chronic renal failure with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Coelioscopic exploration and operation disclosed several advantages including peritoneal dialysis catheter salvage, abdominal exploration in peritonitis or before catheter implantation, early dialysis after surgery, hence avoiding the need for transient hemodialysis. Furthermore, laparoscopy was reported to decrease postoperative pain and ventilatory disorders. This minimal invasive surgical technique allows rapid recovery of social and professional activities.