Subnormothermic Oxygenated Perfusion Optimally Preserves Donor Kidneys Ex Vivo.

INTRODUCTION: The current methods of preserving donor kidneys in nonoxygenated cold conditions minimally protect the kidney against ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), a major source of complications in clinical transplantation. However, preserving kidneys with oxygenated perfusion is not currently feasible due to the lack of an ideal perfusion mechanism that facilitates perfusion with blood at warm temperature. Here, we have designed an innovative renal pump circuit system that can perfuse blood or acellular oxygen carrier under flexible temperatures, pressures, and oxygenation. We have tested this apparatus to study optimal conditions of storage of our porcine model of donation after cardiac death (DCD) kidneys. METHODS: Porcine kidneys were retrieved after 30 minutes of cross-clamping renal pedicles in situ. Cessation of blood mimics postcardiac death in humans and simulates DCD warm ischemic injury. Procured kidneys were flushed and subjected to static cold storage (SCS) for 4 hours. For warm perfusion, kidneys were cannulated for pulsatile oxygenated perfusion with blood:PlasmaLyte for 4 hours at 15 °C, 22 °C, and 37 °C. To mimic posttransplant scenario, all kidneys were reperfused with blood for an additional 4 hours at 37 °C. RESULTS: Compared with all other groups, 22 °C perfusion resulted in significant reduction of acute tubular necrosis (ATN), apoptosis, kidney damage markers, Toll-like receptor signaling, and cytokine production. It was associated with maximal renal blood flow and urine output. Kidneys stored at 15 °C thrombosed within 2 hours under this condition. Martius Scarlet Blue staining confirmed that 22 °C was the optimal temperature to minimize hemorrhage and blood clots. CONCLUSION: Our novel study shows that oxygenated perfusion at near-room-temperature provides optimal donor kidney storage conditions.

Use of a Muscle Pump Activator Leads to Improved Lower Limb Edema, Lower Limb Blood Flow, and Urine Output Compared With Standard TED Stockings and Compression Devices Following Kidney Transplant: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of using thromboembolic deterrent (TED) stockings and intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) vs a muscle pump activator (MPA) device on limb edema and patient satisfaction after transplant. METHODS: In this single-center randomized controlled trial, 118 patients were randomly assigned to wear TED + IPC (n = 64) or the MPA device (n = 54) from postoperative days 1 to 6. We measured patients' weight and lower leg and thigh circumferences daily. Ultrasonography of the allograft and lower limbs was carried out on postoperative days 1 and 5 to assess resistive index in the transplanted kidney and flow in the femoral vein. We monitored urine output and serum creatinine level. RESULTS: We observed a significant increase in calf and thigh circumference from baseline in the TED + IPC group but not in the MPA group (2.3 [SD, 1] cm vs 0.25 [SD, 0.8] cm, respectively, P < .002). Ultrasonography showed higher femoral vein velocities in the MPA group than the TED + IPC group (0.5 [SD, 0.2] cm, P < .001). The mean total urine output in 6 days was higher in the MPA group than the TED + IPC group (P = .05), which corresponded to large change in TED + IPC weight of 6.2 kg vs 2.1 kg in the MPA group (P = .04). Patients were more satisfied with the use of the MPA device than TED + IPC. No major complications were encountered in either group. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to show that the use of an MPA device in the immediate postoperative period following kidney transplant leads to decreased lower limb edema and increased total urine output. Patients were more satisfied with the use of the MPA device than TED + IPC.

The impact of a muscle pump activator on incisional wound healing compared to standard stockings and compression devices in kidney and kidney-pancreas transplant recipients: A randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to evaluate the impact of thrombo-embolic-deterrent + intermittent pneumatic compression (TED + IPC) vs. muscle pump activator (MPA) on incisional wound healing in kidney and simultaneous pancreas- kidney (SPK) transplant recipients. METHODS: We conducted a single-centre, randomized controlled trial in which 104 patients (kidney n=94; SPK n=10) were randomly assigned to wear TED + IPC (n= 52) or MPA (n=52) for the first six days following surgery. Patient demographics, postoperative outcomes, and incisional wound images were taken using a HIPAA-compliant application on postoperative days (POD) 3, 5, and 30, and assessed using the validated Southampton Wound Care Score. RESULTS: There were no demographic differences between the groups. The MPA group had a significant improvement in wound healing on POD 3 (p=0.04) that persisted until POD 5 (p=0.0003). At POD 30, both groups were similar in wound healing outcomes (p=0.51). Bayesian inferential analysis revealed that the use of TED + IPC following transplantation had inferior outcomes compared to the use of MPA with sequential moderate evidence. The rate of complex wound infections was significantly greater in the TED + IPC group compared to the MPA group (29% vs. 12%, respectively; p=0.03). Patients were more satisfied with the use of a MPA device than TED + IPC. No major complications were encountered in either group. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a MPA device in the immediate postoperative period leads to a significant improvement in immediate and early wound healing, and decreased number of complex wound infections following kidney and SPK transplantation compared to standard TED + IPC therapy. Patients were more satisfied with the use of a MPA device than TED + IPC.

First Canadian experience with robotic laparoendoscopic single-site vs. standard laparoscopic living-donor nephrectomy: A prospective comparative study.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to compare the outcomes of robotic laparoendoscopic single-site living donor nephrectomy (R-LESS LDN) vs. standard laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy (LLDN). METHODS: Between October 2013 and November 2015, 39 patients were allocated to either standard LLDN (n=25) or R-LESS LDN (n=14). Patient demographics, perioperative outcomes, analgesic requirement, visual analogue scale of pain at postoperative days 1, 3, 7, and 30, and a health-related quality of life and body image questionnaire were prospectively collected. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in demographics and intraoperative outcomes between the two cohorts. The R-LESS LDN cohort had lower analgesic requirement (p=0.002) and lower visual pain scores on days 1 and 3 (p=0.001). Additionally, body image and satisfaction scores in the R-LESS group were also superior compared to the LLDN cohort (p=0.008). There was no significant difference in the postoperative complications according to the Clavien-Dindo system. Recipient graft functional outcomes were equivalent. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first evidence that R-LESS LDN is safe and associated with comparable surgical and early functional outcomes compared to LLDN, while pain, donor body image, and satisfaction scores were improved compared to LLDN.