Improving Surgical Safety in Living Donor Renal Transplantation With Antiseptic Skin Preparation, Bladder Irrigation, Corner-Saving Vascular Anastomosis, DJ Stenting, and Extravesical Ureteroneocystostomy Modifications: A Comprehensive Approach.

ABSTRACT

Introduction The antiseptic skin preparation, bladder irrigation, corner-saving vascular anastomosis, DJ stenting, and extravesical ureteroneocystostomy (ABCDE) approach encompasses a range of modifications applied during different stages of the surgical procedure in renal transplantation. These modifications include the following A, antiseptic skin preparation sequentially with cetrimide 3.35%, chlorhexidine scrub 4%, spirit, and povidone-iodine 10%; B, bladder irrigation with amikacin and betadine solution; C, corner-saving end-to-side vascular anastomosis; D, DJ stenting with early postoperative removal within three weeks; and E, extravesical ureteroneocystostomy using our institute's modified Lich-Gregoir technique. Methods This prospective observational study was conducted at our institution between March 2021 and May 2023. Data were collected from the patients' medical records and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) (IBM SPSS Statistics, Armonk, NY, USA). Statistical tests, including t-test, Mann-Whitney test, chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test, were used for analysis. The study assessed various recipient, donor, intraoperative, and post-transplant factors, as well as surgical complications and stent-related factors. Results Out of 72 renal transplantations, 12 (16.6%) had the following surgical complications urinary (n = 4; 5.5%), wound-related (n = 3; 4.1%), and lymphocele (n = 5; 6.9%). The most common complications were lymphocele (n = 5; 6.9%) and urinary leak (n = 4; 5.5%). Surgical complications were more common in male recipients (91.6% versus 8.3%), as well as in recipients with longer dialysis duration (24 ± 17 versus 11.0 ± 7 months) and had extended hospitalization time (16.4 ± 8.6 versus 8.0 ± 2.9 days) (p < 0.05). Wound infection correlated with longer surgeries (>300 minutes) and other complications. Lymphocele patients had higher drain output (>500 mL) on day 1 and longer hospital stays (>15 days). Urinary tract infections (UTIs) were linked to dialysis duration (>24 months), diabetes, and longer indwelling times of DJ stents and urinary catheters. Early DJ stent removal (<3 weeks) reduced UTI incidence and symptoms (p < 0.05). All complications were categorized as minor (3a or less), according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. Conclusion The modified ABCDE surgical approach in renal transplantation decreased the complications, showing favorable outcomes compared to those in the literature.