Heterotopic Kidney Autotransplantation for Recurrent Iatrogenic Distal Ureteral Injury: A Case Report.

Iatrogenic ureteral injuries are a significant complication during pelvic surgery, requiring a multidisciplinary approach for optimal repair. When a ureteral injury is suspected postoperatively, abdominal imaging is essential to determine the type of injury and thus the timing and method of reconstruction. That can be performed either by a CT pyelogram or by an ureterography-cystography with or without ureter stenting. Although technological advancements and minimally invasive surgery have been gaining ground over open complex surgeries, renal autotransplantation is a well-established technique of proximal ureter repair and should be highly considered when dealing with a severe injury. We hereby report the case of a patient with a recurrent ureter injury and multiple laparotomies treated with autotransplantation, without any major morbidities or change in their quality of life. In every case, a personalized approach for each patient and consultation with experienced transplant experts (surgeons, urologists, and nephrologists) is advised.

Risk Factors of the Development of Diabetes Mellitus After Kidney Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of diabetes mellitus is common after kidney transplantation (posttransplant diabetes mellitus [PTDM]) and enhances the cardiovascular risk and risk for kidney graft loss. The incidence of PTDM is about 5% to 40%. This study aimed to examine the potential risk factors that determine the occurrence of PTDM. METHODS: This study retrospectively included 298 patients from transplantation unit of Evangelismos who underwent kidney transplantation during a 10-year period (January 1, 2009, to January 1, 2019). Kidney transplant recipients with diabetes mellitus prior to transplantation or those with follow-up of <6 months were rejected from the study. In total, the study included 274 recipients with a mean age of 50 ± 18 years. The mean time of monitoring was 63 ± 18 months. The PTDM diagnosis was based on the 2018 criteria of the American Diabetes Association. RESULTS: Of 274 kidney transplant recipients, PTDM developed in 38 (13.8%) patients over a period of 11 ± 9 months after transplantation. Given that immunosuppressive therapy was identical in most patients, statistical analysis did not correlate the incidence of diabetes with treatment. However, there was a correlation for the occurrence of PTDM between the presence of hypomagnesemia and increased uric acid levels. Finally, there was a negative correlation between the age of the recipient and the time of PTDM onset. CONCLUSION: Hypomagnesemia and hyperuricemia increased the risk of PTDM in these patients. Given the association between hypomagnesemia and the development of diabetes mellitus after kidney transplantation, prospective studies are needed to identify the causes of PTDM and to develop prevention strategies.

Resistive Renal Index of the Recipient and its Correlation With the Outcome of Kidney Transplantation at the End of the First Year: Preliminary Results.

BACKGROUND: Renal resistive index (RRI) of ultrasonography is a useful and potent tool for the assessment of patients who have undergone transplantations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of RRI with renal function 1 year after transplant. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 93 kidney allograft recipients. Data were collected from transplantations performed in our medical center between January 2014 and September 2018. Patients with acute loss of the renal function and renal survival <1 year were excluded from the study. We longitudinally compared the RRI at the first week after transplant and the third month, with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, by Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation) at the end of the first year of transplantation. RRI was divided into 2 groups (RRI ≤0.80 or >0.80). RESULTS: From the total of 86 recipients, 59 (68.6%) were male recipients and 27 female recipients with a mean age of 48.3 ± 12.1 years. No correlations were found between the first week's RRI with sex and age of both donors and recipients (P > .05). Similarly, the first week's RRI was not correlated with delayed graft function (DGF) and 1-year eGFR after transplant (P > .05). On the contrary, RRI performed at the third month was strongly correlated to DGF and eGFR at the end of the first year. Last but not least, neither higher recipient age nor sex affects the value of resistive index in the third month after transplantation (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: RRI values <0.80 in the third month after kidney transplantation were related to better annual renal function and a lower incidence of DGF.

Body Mass Index and Kidney Donor Profile Index as Prognostic Markers of the Outcome of Renal Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI) and body mass index (BMI) of the deceased donor on the kidney allograft outcome 1 year after transplantation. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 98 deceased kidney allograft donors with a mean age of 56 ± 12 years. The donors were divided into 5 groups according to their BMI: Normal ΒΜΙ = 25 (n = 25); ΒΜΙ 25 to 29 = Overweight (n = 33); ΒΜΙ 30 to 34.9 = Obese class I (n = 19); ΒΜΙ 35 to 39 = Obese class ΙΙ (n = 11); and ΒΜΙ >40 = Obese class III (n = 10). We examined the impact of the deceased donor's BMI and KDPI on delayed graft function (DGF) and estimated renal glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (measured by the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation) 1 year after transplantation. RESULTS: Donor BMI significantly increased the prevalence of DGF (P = .031), and it was associated with higher cold ischemia time (P = .021). However, there was no significant association between the aforementioned BMI groups and 1-year eGFR (P = 0.57), as deceased grafts from donors with increased BMI (BMI > 40) gained sufficient renal function during the first year of transplantation. Moreover, high KDPI was associated not only with DGF (P = .015), but also with decreased values of eGFR (P = .033). CONCLUSION: In this population, we identified no significant association between donor BMI and long-term clinical outcomes in deceased donor kidney transplants. KDPI, and not ΒΜΙ, of the deceased donor seems to be a good prognostic factor of renal function at the end of the first year after kidney transplant, whereas high BMI and high KDPI markedly induce DGF.

Determinants of Parathyroid Hormone Levels During the First Year After Kidney Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous remission of secondary hyperparathyroidism after kidney transplantation requires time to occur. The aim of the present study was to investigate factors that may be related to the reduction of parathyroid hormone (PTH) after transplantation as well as the rate of its reduction. METHODS: We studied 81 kidney transplant recipients at our transplantation center between January 2014 and September 2017. The relationship of PTH values during the first year after transplant with renal function, type of kidney graft origin (deceased or living), and delayed renal graft function was examined. Moreover, we determined the correlation of the rate of PTH reduction within the first year with the value of PTH before transplant. RESULTS: Of the total of 81 recipients, 28 (35.1%) were women and 53 (64.8%) were men, with a mean age of 47 ± 11.87 years. At the same time, there was a decrease of PTH by 33% in the first half of the first year after transplantation and by 57% in the second. In addition, a statistically significant correlation of PTH with renal function was found (P = .001), with PTH values decreasing as the glomerular filtration rate increased. Finally, transplants from deceased donors were associated with higher values of PTH, whereas the value of PTH before transplant was positively correlated with the value after it (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Secondary hyperparathyroidism, which accompanies end-stage chronic renal failure, usually resolves adequately after transplantation. The determinants of this resolution are the recipient's renal function, the kidney graft origin (deceased), and the pretransplant PTH values.

Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition Criteria Predict Pulmonary Complications and 90-Day Mortality after Major Abdominal Surgery in Cancer Patients.

Although several studies have reported an association between malnutrition and the risk of severe complications after abdominal surgery, there have been no studies evaluating the use of Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria for predicting postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) following major abdominal surgery in cancer patients. This study aimed to investigate the association among the diagnosis of malnutrition by GLIM criteria, PPCs risk and 90-day all-cause mortality rate following major abdominal surgery in cancer patients. We prospectively analyzed 218 patients (45% male, mean age 70.6 ± 11.2 years) with gastrointestinal cancer who underwent major abdominal surgery at our hospital between October 2018 and December 2019. Patients were assessed preoperatively using GLIM criteria of malnutrition, and 90-day all-cause mortality and PPCs were recorded. In total, 70 patients (32.1%) were identified as malnourished according to GLIM criteria, of whom 41.1% fulfilled the criteria for moderate and 12.6% for severe malnutrition. PPCs were detected in 48 of 218 patients (22%) who underwent major abdominal surgery. Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the diagnosis of malnutrition was significantly associated with the risk of PPCs. Furthermore, in multivariate model analysis adjusted for other clinical confounding factors, malnutrition remained an independent factor associated with the risk of PPCs (RR = 1.82; CI = 1.21-2.73) and 90-day all-cause mortality (RR = 1.97; CI = 1.28-2.63, for severely malnourished patients). In conclusion, preoperative presence of malnutrition, diagnosed by the use of GLIM criteria, is associated with the risk of PPCs and 90-day mortality rate in cancer patients undergoing major abdominal surgery.

Successful Living-Related Renal Allograft in a Recipient With Factor V Leiden Deficiency: A Case Report.

Thrombophilia due to activated protein C resistance (Leiden mutation) is the most common inherited thrombophilic disorder with 5% incidence in whites. Renal transplant of these patients entails a risk of vascular thrombosis soon after the transplant; and acute rejection episodes and graft loss within the first year. We present a case of a successful living-related renal transplant in man with a recent history of repeat episodes of vascular access thrombosis attributed to inherited thrombophilia (heterozygosity for factor V mutation Q506 and homozygosity for mutation T677 for methylene-tetrahydrofolate reductase). Transplant recipient was administered anticoagulation therapy with low molecular weight heparin pre- and postoperatively. No thrombotic or hemorrhagic events occurred posttransplant. A high suspicion of thrombophilic disorders in patients with end-stage renal disease with vascular access thrombotic events should be screened further to prevent failure of a subsequent renal transplant. Inherited thrombophilic disorders may not exclude living-related kidney transplant provided that anticoagulation therapy is admin-istered perioperatively.

Fournier's gangrene due to perioperative iatrogenic colon perforation in a renal transplant recipient.

Fournier's gangrene is not a common cause of morbidity in renal transplant recipients, but, if it occurs, it is difficult to treat because of the immunosuppression and associated increased mortality rate. We describe the case of a male patient who underwent renal transplantation with complicated post-operative course, resulting in cecum perforation (thermal injury due to cautery use during transplantation) requiring exploratory laparotomy and cecostomy. A few days later, he developed Fournier's gangrene and urgent radical surgical debridement of the scrotum was performed, along with aggressive antibiotic regimen and the immunosuppressive treatment was modified. Subsequently, the patient underwent scheduled cecostomy closure (right hemicolectomy), while the scrotum trauma healed with tertiary intention. Epidemiologic characteristics, clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, therapeutic options and morbidity-mortality rates of Fournier's gangrene are reviewed, emphasizing the role of immunosuppression in renal transplant recipients to disease development.

Successful endovascular treatment of transplant intrarenal artery stenosis in renal transplant recipients: Two case reports.

Transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS) is a relatively rare complication after renal transplantation. The site of the surgical anastomosis is most commonly involved, but sites both proximal and distal to the anastomosis may occur, as well. Angioplasty is the gold standard for the treatment of the stenosis, especially for intrarenal lesions. We report two cases of intrarenal TRAS and successful management with angioplasty without stent placement. Both patients were male, 44 and 55 years old respectively, and they presented with elevated blood pressure or serum creatinine within three months after transplantation. Subsequently, they have undergone angioplasty balloon dilatation with normalization of blood pressure and serum creatinine returning to baseline level. Percutaneous transluminal balloon renal angioplasty is a safe and effective method for the treatment of the intrarenal TRAS.

Emergency surgery for obstructing colorectal malignancy: prognostic and risk factors.

PURPOSE: Emergency surgery for colorectal malignant obstruction is thought to correlate with poor outcome. The main aim of our study was to identify possible factors that could predict obstruction, and risk factors of poor postoperative outcome. The second aim was to determine any differences between primary anastomosis and stoma creation in the obstruction population, especially in left-sided tumors. METHODS: A retrospective review of 212 patients who underwent surgery for colorectal malignancy between January 2008 and January 2013 was performed. Fifty-five patients (26%) underwent emergency surgery for completely obstructing colorectal carcinoma, and 157 (74%) underwent elective surgery. RESULTS: The groups were comparable for age, gender, ASA score, tumor location, tumor stage, lymph node metastasis and mortality. Advanced tumor stage was recorded as the only prognostic factor of obstruction (p=0.001). Postoperative mortality rate was 9.1% in the obstruction group and 6.4% in the elective group (p=0.498). Analysis didn't reveal any risk factors for poor early outcome in the obstruction group. All patients with right-sided obstructive cancer were treated with resection and primary anastomosis, while the same procedure was performed in almost 61% of operations for left-sided tumors with no anastomotic failure. CONCLUSIONS: Obstructive colorectal malignancy presents at a more advanced stage compared with non-obstructive cancer, with, interestingly, no statistically significant differences in postoperative mortality. Risk factors of poor early outcome couldn't be identified. Resection and primary restitution of continuity is the surgical approach of choice for right-sided obstructive cancers, but it can be, also, safely performed in left-sided cancers.

Presacral ganglioneuroma: diagnostic considerations and therapeutic strategy.

Presacral ganglioneuroma is an extremely rare tumor of neural crest origin. To the best of our knowledge, less than 20 cases have been reported previously. The present study reports on a presacral ganglioneuroma, 10.5 × 8 × 4 cm in size, that was found incidentally in a 35-year-old man with prior history of diverticulitis. He was admitted to our hospital due to lower left abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the extension of the lesion from the S2 level to the coccyx. The mass had low signal intensity on T1-weighted images and heterogeneous high signal intensity on T2-weighted images with no intraspinal or rectal extension. T2-weighted images demonstrated a compartmentalized solid tumor with cystic components. Complete tumor resection with free surgical margins was achieved using an abdominal approach. The patient remains asymptomatic 2 years after surgery. We emphasize on clinical features, radiologic appearance and surgical treatment of this rare entity. The clinical and pathologic features of previously reported studies are also briefly reviewed.