Lean body mass in living kidney donors impacts postoperative renal function.

PURPOSE: A living donor kidney transplant is the optimal treatment for chronic renal impairment. Our objective is to assess if lean skeletal muscle mass and donor factors such as body mass index, hypertension, and age impact on renal function following donor nephrectomy. METHODS: Potential donors undergo CT angiography as part of their work-up in our institution. Using dedicated software (Horos®), standardized skeletal muscle area measured at the L3 vertebrae was calculated. When corrected for height, skeletal muscle index can be derived. Skeletal muscle mass index below predefined levels was classified as sarcopenic. The correlation of CT-derived skeletal muscle index and postoperative renal function at 12 months was assessed. Co-variables including donor gender, age, body mass index (BMI), and presence of pre-op hypertension were also assessed for their impact on postoperative renal function. RESULTS: 275 patients who underwent living donor nephrectomy over 10 years were included. Baseline pre-donation glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal function at one year post-op were similar between genders. 29% (n = 82) of patients met the criteria for CT-derived sarcopenia. Sarcopenic patients were more likely to have a higher GFR at one year post-op (69.3 vs 63.9 mL/min/1.73 m2, p < 0.001). The main factors impacting better renal function at one year were the presence of sarcopenia and younger age at donation. CONCLUSION: When selecting donors, this study highlights that patients with low skeletal mass are unlikely to underperform in terms of recovery of their renal function postoperatively at one year when compared to patients with normal muscle mass and should not be a barrier to kidney donation.

The Irish experience of kidney transplantation among recipients with prior non-renal solid organ transplants: A retrospective study on short- and long-term outcomes.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate allograft and patient outcomes among recipients of kidney transplants after non-renal solid organ transplants. We also aim to compare our findings with recipients of a repeat kidney transplant. METHODS: We performed an analysis on kidney transplant recipients who underwent kidney transplantation after a non-renal solid organ transplant. Survival data were stratified into 2 groups: Group A (n = 37) consisted of recipients of a kidney transplant after prior non-renal solid organ transplant, and Group B (n = 330) consisted of recipients of a repeat kidney transplant. RESULTS: The 1-,5-, and 10-year graft survival (death-censored) for recipients of a kidney transplant post-non-renal solid organ transplant (Group A) were 97.3%, 91.5%, and 86.9%, compared with 97.9%, 90.2%, and 83.4% for recipients of a repeat kidney transplant (Group B) (p = .32). The 1-, 5-, and 10-year patient survival rates were 97.3%, 82.7%, and 79.1% in Group A compared to 97.9%, 90.2%, and 83.4% in Group B. Unadjusted overall patient survival was significantly lower for Group A (p = .017). CONCLUSION: Kidney transplant recipients who have undergone a previous non-renal solid organ transplant have similar allograft survival outcomes, but higher long-term mortality rates compared to repeat kidney transplant recipients.

Long-term outcome of transplant ureterostomy in children: A National Review.

BACKGROUND: CAKUT are the most common cause of end-stage renal failure in children (Pediatr Nephrol. 24, 2009, 1719). Many children with CAKUT have poor urinary drainage which can compromise post-transplant outcome. Identifying safe ways to manage anatomical abnormalities and provide effective urinary drainage is key to transplant success. Much debate exists regarding optimum urinary diversion techniques. The definitive formation of a continent urinary diversion is always preferable but may not always be possible. We explore the role of ureterostomy formation at transplantation in a complex pediatric group. METHODS: We report six pediatric patients who had ureterostomy formation at the time of transplantation at the National Paediatric Transplant Centre in Dublin, Ireland. We compared renal function and burden of urinary tract infection to a group with alternative urinary diversion procedures and a group with normal bladders over a 5-year period. RESULTS: There was no demonstrable difference in estimated glomerular filtration rate between the groups at 5-year follow-up. The overall burden of UTI was low and similar in frequency between the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Ureterostomy formation is a safe and effective option for temporary urinary diversion in children with complex abdominal anatomy facilitating transplantation; it is, however, important to consider the implications and risk of ureterostomy for definitive surgery after transplantation.

Predictors of long-term renal allograft survival after second kidney transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Few studies investigate significant perioperative predictors for long-term renal allograft survival after second kidney transplant (SKT). We compared long-term survival following SKT with primary kidney transplant and determined predictors of renal allograft failure after SKT. METHODS: Outcomes of all primary or second kidney transplant recipients at a national kidney transplant center between 1993 and 2017 were reviewed. The primary outcomes measurements were renal allograft survival for both first and second kidney transplants. Secondary outcome measurements were incidence of delayed graft function (DGF), incidence of acute rejection (AR), and predictors for renal allograft survival in SKT recipients. RESULTS: In total, there were 392 SKTs and 2748 primary kidney transplants performed between 1993 and 2017. The 1-, 5-, and 10-year death-censored graft survival for deceased-donor recipients was 95.3%, 88.7%, and 78.2% for primary kidney transplant and 94.9%, 87.1%, and 74.9% for SKT (P = .0288). Survival of primary renal allograft <6 years (HR 0.6, P = .017), AR episodes (HR 1.6, P = .031), DGF (HR 2.0, P = .005), and HLA-DR MM (HR 1.7, P = .018) was independent predictors of long-term renal allograft failure after SKT. CONCLUSION: These findings may provide important information on long-term survival outcomes after SKT and for identifying patients at risk for long-term renal allograft failure after SKT.

Treatment of Visceral Artery Aneurysms Using Novel Neurointerventional Devices and Techniques.

The presence of branching vessels, a wide aneurysm neck, and/or fusiform morphology represents a challenge to conventional endovascular treatment of visceral artery aneurysms. A variety of techniques and devices have emerged for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms, in which more aggressive treatment algorithms aimed at smaller and morphologically diverse aneurysms have driven innovation. Here, modified neurointerventional techniques including the use of compliant balloons, scaffold- or stent-assisted coil embolization, and flow diversion are described in the treatment of visceral aneurysms. Neurointerventional devices and their mechanisms of action are described in the context of their application in the peripheral arterial system.

Increased mid-abdominal circumference is a predictor for surgical wound complications in kidney transplant recipients: A prospective cohort study.

Kidney transplant recipients are at an increased risk of developing surgical site wound complications due to their immunosuppressed status. We aimed to determine whether increased mid-abdominal circumference (MAC) is predictive for wound complications in transplant recipients. A prospective study was performed on all kidney transplant recipients from October 2014 to October 2015. "Controls" consisted of kidney transplant recipients without a surgical site wound complication and "cases" consisted of recipients that developed a wound complication. In total, 144 patients underwent kidney transplantation and 107 patients met inclusion criteria. Postoperative wound complications were documented in 28 (26%) patients. Patients that developed a wound complication had a significantly greater MAC, body mass index (BMI), and body weight upon renal transplantation (P<.001, P=.011, and P=.011, respectively). On single and multiple logistic regression analyses, MAC was a significant predictor for developing a surgical wound complication (P=.02). Delayed graft function and a history of preformed anti-HLA antibodies were also predictive for surgical wound complications (P=.003 and P=.014, respectively). Increased MAC is a significant predictor for surgical wound complications in kidney transplant recipients. Integrating clinical methods for measuring visceral adiposity may be useful for stratifying kidney transplant recipients with an increased risk of a surgical wound complication.

Outcome of deceased donor renal transplantation in patients with an ileal conduit.

Renal transplantation in recipients with an ileal conduit is uncommon and occasionally controversial as it has been associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. We report on 17 patients with an ileal conduit who received a deceased donor renal transplant at our institution between January 1986 and December 2012. We retrospectively reviewed their allograft and surgical outcome. There were four mortalities at five, five, 39, and 66 months post-transplant. Sixteen of 17 grafts functioned immediately; one patient had primary non-function secondary to vascular thrombosis. Thirteen of 17 (76.5%) grafts were functioning at a mean follow-up period of 105 months. The mean serum creatinine at follow-up was 111 µM (±38.62). Five patients had seven episodes of urosepsis requiring hospital admission, and five patients received treatment for renal stone disease. We conclude that given improvements in immunosuppression, surgical technique, infection treatment, and selection criteria, we believe that renal transplantation in the patient with an ileal conduit yields excellent graft survival, although there is a high morbidity rate in this cohort of patients in the long term.

Colonisation with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus prior to renal transplantation is associated with long-term renal allograft failure.

Renal transplant recipients are at an increased risk of developing Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus due to their immunosuppressed status. Herein, we investigate the incidence of MRSA infection in patients undergoing renal transplantation and determine the effect of MRSA colonisation on renal allograft function and overall mortality. Between January 1st 2007 and December 31st 2012, 1499 consecutive kidney transplants performed in our transplant unit and a retrospective 1:2 matched case-control study was performed on this patient cohort. The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall graft survival rates were 100%, 86% and 78%, respectively, in MRSA positive recipients compared with 100%, 100% and 93%, respectively, in the control group (P < 0.05). The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall patient survival rates were 100%, 97% and 79%, respectively, in MRSA positive recipients compared with 100%, 100% and 95%, respectively, in the control group (P = 0.1). In a multiple logistic regression analysis, colonisation with MRSA pre-operatively was an independent predictor for renal allograft failure at 5 years (hazard ratio: 4.6, 95% confidence interval: 1-30.7, P = 0.048). These findings demonstrate that the incidence of long-term renal allograft failure is significantly greater in this patient cohort compared with a matched control population.

Ex vivo reconstruction of the donor renal artery in renal transplantation: a case-control study.

Transplantation of renal allografts with anatomic variability or injured vasculature poses a challenge to the transplanting surgeon but can be salvaged for transplantation with ex vivo bench reconstruction of the vasculature. We investigated whether renal allograft function is impaired in these reconstructed allografts; compared to the donor-matched, un-reconstructed allograft. Reconstructed allografts were transplanted into 60 patients at our institution between 1986 and 2012. A control group was selected from the matched pair of the recipient in deceased donor transplantation. We found no significant difference in the overall graft and patient survival rates (P = 1.0, P = 0.178). Serum creatinine levels were not significantly higher in the study group at 1, 3 and 12 months postoperatively. There were two cases of vascular thrombosis in the study group that were not related to the ex vivo reconstruction. A significantly greater proportion of reconstructed patients were investigated with a colour duplex ultrasound postoperatively (0.007). Although we have demonstrated a higher index of suspicion of transplant failure in patients with a reconstructed allograft, this practice has proven to be a safe and useful technique with equivocal outcome when compared to normal grafts; increasing the organ pool available for transplantation.

Long-term renal function following radical cystectomy and ileal conduit creation.

BACKGROUND: Treatment for bladder cancer includes radical cystectomy (RC) and urinary diversion; RC is associated with long-term morbidity, kidney impairment and mortality. AIM: To identify risk factors associated with postoperative long-term kidney function and mortality. METHODS: Retrospective study of patients with RC and urinary diversion in Beaumont Hospital from 1996 to 2016. We included patients who had follow-up at least 2 years post-procedure. We assessed estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) preoperatively and yearly post-procedure, dialysis commencement and mortality. Cox and Fine-Gray regression analyses were applied; p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: We included 264 patients, median age 68.3 years, 73.7% males. The most common diagnosis was bladder cancer 93.3%, TNM stages T ≥ 2 75.9%, N ≥ 1 47.6% and M1 28%. The median eGFR preoperative was 65.8 ml/min/1.73m2 and after 2 years 58.2 ml/min/1.73m2 (p: 0.009); 5.3% required chronic dialysis and 32.8% had a decrease > 10 ml/min/1.73m2. Risk factors associated with ESKD and start dialysis included younger age (HR: 0.90, CI 95% 0.87-0.94) and lower pre-operative eGFR (HR: 0.97, CI 95% 0.94-1.00). Overall mortality was 43.2% and 54.1% at 5 and 10 years, respectively; risk factors were older age (HR: 1.04, CI 95% 1.02-1.06), tumour stage T ≥ 2 (HR: 2.22, CI 95% 1.39-3.54) and no chemotherapy (HR: 1.72, CI 95% 1.18-2.51). Limitations include retrospective design, absence of control group and single centre experience. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with RC are at risk of progressive kidney function deterioration and elevated mortality and the main risk factors associated were age and preoperative eGFR. Regular monitoring of kidney function will permit early diagnosis and treatment.

Mycophenolate mofetil in low-risk renal transplantation in patients receiving no cyclosporine: a single-centre experience.

BACKGROUND: We assess our long-term experience with regards the safety and efficacy of Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) in our low risk renal transplant population and compared it retrospectively to Azathioprine (AZA) immunosuppressive regimen. Patients and methods. Between January 1999 and December 2005, 240 renal transplants received MMF as part of their immunosuppressive protocol (MMF group). AZA group of 135 renal transplants was included for comparative analysis (AZA group). Patients received Cyclosporine was excluded from this study. RESULTS: The incidence of biopsy proven 3-month acute rejections was 30 (12.5%) in MMF group and 22 (16%) in AZA group respectively (P = 0.307). Patient survival rates at 1 and 5 years for the MMF group were 97 and 94%, respectively, compared to 100% and 91% at 1 and 5 years respectively for the AZA group (P = 0.61). Graft survival rates at 1 and 5 years for the MMF group were 95 and 83%, respectively, compared to 97 and 84% at 1 and 5 years, respectively for the AZA group (P = 0.62). CONCLUSION: There was no difference in acute rejection episodes between MMF and AZA based immunotherapy. Additionally, we observed no significant difference concerning graft survival in the MMF group when compared to AZA group.

Renal allograft loss in the first post-operative month: causes and consequences.

Early transplant failure is a devastating outcome after kidney transplantation. We report the causes and consequences of deceased donor renal transplant failure in the first 30 d at our center between January 1990 and December 2009. Controls were adult deceased donor transplant patients in the same period with an allograft that functioned >30 d. The incidence of early graft failure in our series of 2381 consecutive deceased donor transplants was 4.6% (n = 109). The causes of failure were allograft thrombosis (n = 48; 44%), acute rejection (n = 19; 17.4%), death with a functioning allograft (n = 17; 15.6%), primary non-function (n = 14;12.8%), and other causes (n = 11; 10.1%). Mean time to allograft failure was 7.3 d. There has been a decreased incidence of all-cause early failure from 7% in 1990 to <1% in 2009. Patients who developed early failure had longer cold ischemia times when compared with patients with allografts lasting >30 d (p < 0.001). Early allograft failure was strongly associated with reduced patient survival (p < 0.001). In conclusion, early renal allograft failure is associated with a survival disadvantage, but has thankfully become less common in recent years.

Formation of bovine placental trophoblast spheroids.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we aimed to form spheroids with the bovine placental trophoblast cell line F3. Spheroids are 3-dimensional culture models which can be used to conduct versatile in vitro and in vivo experiments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The spheroids were generated using the hanging drop technique, 25% methocel and matrigel. The F3 spheroids were characterized morphologically by light microscopy and transmission (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and immunohistochemistry (ezrin, vimentin, cytokeratin, placental lactogen). The fluorescent dyes calcein and ethidium homodimer were used to determine the viability of the spheroidal F3 cells by immunofluorescence microscopy. RESULTS: The cell line F3 only formed spheroids by the hanging drop technique when matrigel was added. The trophoblast spheroids were delimited and fully covered by extracellular matrix (light microscopy/TEM/SEM). Cells contributing to spheroids could not be discriminated from each other (light microscopy). The outer spheroidal layer consisted of cells which possessed an apical pole with microvilli that were directed to the outside (light microscopy/TEM). All of the spheroidal F3 cells expressed ezrin, vimentin and cytokeratin, but not placental lactogen. The spheroid core contained degenerating cells whilst the F3 cells of the outer rim were viable (TEM/immunofluorescence microscopy). DISCUSSION: We have established a 3-dimensional spheroid model for the bovine placental trophoblast cell line F3. The developed culture model might prove valuable for future in vitro studies on the differentiation of bovine trophoblast cells.

Mycophenolate mofetil in pediatric renal transplantation: a single center experience.

We assessed our long-term experience with regards to the safety and efficacy of MMF in our pediatric renal transplant population and compared it retrospectively to our previous non-MMF immunosuppressive regimen. Forty-seven pediatric renal transplants received MMF as part of their immunosuppressive protocol in the period from January 1997 till October 2006 (MMF group). A previously reported non-MMF group of 59 pediatric renal transplants was included for comparative analysis (non-MMF group). The MMF group comprised 29 boys and 18 girls, whereas the non-MMF group comprised 34 boys and 25 girls. Mean age was 11.7 and 12 yr in the MMF and non-MMF groups, respectively. The incidence of acute rejection episodes was 11 (23.4%) and 14 (24%) in the MMF and non-MMF group, respectively. Two (3.3%) grafts were lost in the non-MMF group compared with one (2.1%) in the MMF group. Twenty-one (44.68%) patients in the MMF group developed post-transplant infections compared with 12 (20.33%) in the non-MMF group (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, the use of MMF in pediatric renal transplantation was not associated with a lower rejection rate or immunological graft loss. It did, however, result in a significantly higher rate of viral infections.

A prospective study on the incidence of postponed time-sensitive urological procedures during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic due to patient preference.

BACKGROUND: The risk of acquiring perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection is concerning for surgeons and patients. AIMS: In this study, we investigate the incidence of postponed, medically necessary, time-sensitive urological procedures due to a patient's unwillingness to proceed to a recommended surgical intervention during the first phase of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. METHODS: We prospectively monitored all patients undergoing elective urological surgery during the initial phase of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The primary outcome measurement was incidence of postponed, medically necessary, urological procedures due to the patient's decision not to proceed to a recommended urological intervention (16th of March-5th of June 2020). The secondary outcome measurements were the type of delayed procedure and duration of postponement. RESULTS: During the initial 12-week period of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, 155 elective urgent urological procedures were scheduled after pre-operative SARS-CoV-2 screening. In total, 140 procedures were performed and 15 (10%) patients intentionally delayed their urological procedure due to the perceived risk of acquiring nosocomial perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. The duration for procedural delays is currently 42 ± 23 (range: 15-80) days. The most frequently postponed procedures among patients unwilling to proceed to surgery are urgent endourological procedures due to symptomatic urolithiasis (n = 7/15). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence for patients postponing urological procedures due to the risk of acquiring nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 is 10%. Endourological procedures for urolithiasis are the most frequently postponed procedures by patients. This study demonstrates that a subset of patients will decline urgent urological surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Calcium and phosphate levels after kidney transplantation and long-term patient and allograft survival.

BACKGROUND: Non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors, including calcium and phosphate derangement, may play a role in mortality in renal transplant. The data regarding this effect are conflicting. Our aim was to assess the impact of calcium and phosphate derangements in the first 90 days post-transplant on allograft and recipient outcomes. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort review of all-adult, first renal transplants in the Republic of Ireland between 1999 and 2015. We divided patients into tertiles based on serum phosphate and calcium levels post-transplant. We assessed their effect on death-censored graft survival and all-cause mortality. We used Stata for statistical analysis and did survival analysis and spline curves to assess the association. RESULTS: We included 1525 renal transplant recipients. Of the total, 86.3% had hypophosphataemia and 36.1% hypercalcaemia. Patients in the lowest phosphate tertile were younger, more likely female, had lower weight, more time on dialysis, received a kidney from a younger donor, had less delayed graft function and better transplant function compared with other tertiles. Patients in the highest calcium tertile were younger, more likely male, had higher body mass index, more time on dialysis and better transplant function. Adjusting for differences between groups, we were unable to show any difference in death-censored graft failure [phosphate = 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.92-1.41; calcium = 0.98, 95% CI 0.80-1.20] or all-cause mortality (phosphate = 1.10, 95% CI 0.91-1.32; calcium = 0.96, 95% CI 0.81-1.13) based on tertiles of calcium or phosphate in the initial 90 days. CONCLUSIONS: Hypophosphataemia and hypercalcaemia are common occurrences post-kidney transplant. We have identified different risk factors for these metabolic derangements. The calcium and phosphate levels exhibit no independent association with death-censored graft failure and mortality.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) induces motility and upregulates MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in bovine trophoblast cells.

Differentiation and restricted invasion/migration of trophoblast cells are crucial for feto-maternal communication in the synepitheliochorial placenta of cattle. EGF is expressed in the bovine placenta and likely regulates these cell properties. As cell migration and motility rely on the degradation of extracellular matrix we hypothesize that EGF is involved in the regulation of the MMP-9/TIMP-1 balance and thus could influence trophoblast migration, tissue remodeling, and the release of the fetal membranes after parturition. The aim of this in vitro study was to examine EGF-mediated effects on cell motility, proliferation, and MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression in cultured bovine trophoblast cells. We used a trophoblast cell line (F3) derived from bovine placentomes to examine the influence of EGF on MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression by semiquantitative RT-PCR and MMP activity by zymography. Migration assays were performed using a Boyden chamber and cell motility was measured by time-lapse analyses. To identify the involved signaling cascades, phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) 42/44 and Akt was detected by Western blot. EGF treatment increased both the abundance of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 mRNAs and the proteolytic activity of MMP-9. Furthermore, EGF stimulated proliferation and migration of F3 cells. Addition of specific inhibitors of MAPK (PD98059) and/or PI3K (LY294002) activation abolished or reduced EGF-induced effects in all experiments. In conclusion, EGF-mediated effects stimulate migration and proliferation of bovine trophoblast cells and may be involved in bovine placental tissue remodeling and postpartum release of fetal membranes.

Long-term outcome of intensive initial immunosuppression protocol in pediatric deceased donor renal transplantation.

To report the long-term outcome of deceased donor kidney transplantation in children with emphasis on the use of an intensive initial immunosuppression protocol using R-ATG as antibody induction. Between January 1991 and December 1997, 82 deceased donor kidney transplantations were performed in 75 pediatric recipients. Mean recipient age at transplantation was 12.9 yr and the mean follow-up period was 12.6 yr. All patients received quadruple immunosuppression with steroid, cyclosporine, azathioprine, and antibody induction using R-ATG-Fresenius. Actual one, five, and 10 yr patient survival rates were 99%, 97%, and 94%, respectively; only one patient (1.2%) developed PTLD. Actual one, five, and 10 yr overall graft survival rates were 84%, 71%, and 50%, respectively; there were five cases (6%) of graft thrombosis and the actual immunological graft survival rates were 91%, 78%, and 63% at one, five, and 10 yr, respectively. The use of an intensive initial immunosuppression protocol with R-ATG as antibody induction is safe and effective in pediatric recipients of deceased donor kidneys with excellent immunological graft survival without an increase in PTLD or other neoplasms over a minimum 10-yr follow up.

Dual kidney transplantation with organs from extended criteria cadaveric donors.

PURPOSE: The critical shortage of kidneys available for transplantation has led to alternate strategies to expand the pool. Transplantation of the 2 kidneys into a single recipient using organs suboptimal for single kidney transplantation was suggested. We assessed results in 24 grafts allocated for dual kidney transplantation vs those in a control group of 44 designated for single kidney transplantation. Each group underwent pretransplant biopsy and recipients were age matched. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dual kidney transplantation was done in 24 of 1,091 transplants (2.1%) from 2001 to 2008. In patients with dual kidney transplant vs single kidney transplant mean recipient age was 60.6 vs 60.8 years, mean HLA-A, B and DR mismatches were 3.3 vs 2.9, and average patient waiting time was 15.6 vs 13.9 months. All grafts were perfused with University of Wisconsin solution with a mean cold ischemia time of 17.9 hours. On donor dual kidney biopsy in the dual kidney transplant vs single kidney transplant group the average fibrosis rate was 30% (range 25% to 45%) vs 25% (range 3% to 40%) and the glomerulosclerosis rate was 17.9% (range 3.2% to 40.7%) vs 7.1% (range 0% to 50%). RESULTS: Good postoperative renal function was noted in 14 dual kidney transplantation cases. Acute tubular necrosis requiring dialysis developed in 5 patients as well as acute rejection in 1. Two dual kidney recipients (8%) died in the postoperative period with no single kidney deaths. One patient underwent bilateral transplantectomy. Mean anesthesia time was longer in the dual group (371 vs 212 minutes). Patient and graft survival was equivalent to that in the control group at 36 months. CONCLUSIONS: Careful selection of marginal kidneys based on clinical and histological criteria allows the use of organs that would not ordinarily be sufficient for transplantation with acceptable outcomes. This is a valid strategy to address the organ shortage.