[The therapeutic management of the rupture of a kidney graft]

Abstract

From a consecutive series of 106 renal transplants, we present our experience on spontaneous renal allograft rupture. This complication appeared in 6 patients, which accounts for 5.6% of the overall group: four patients (66.6%) had acute rejection, two (33.3%) developed thrombosis of the renal vein (one of which coincided with rejection), and rupture was attributed to trauma in one patient (16.6%). Rupture was diagnosed within the first two weeks after transplant in five patients and on day 27 in one patient. The therapeutic approach was determined according to the cause of the rupture. In our view, nephrectomy is warranted in those cases with venous thrombosis and in acute rejection correction of hypovolemia and adequate immunosuppression are essential. Drainage of perirenal hematoma is the first step when conservative surgical treatment is required. We use three-dimensional renal corsetage with polyglycolic acid mesh (PAM) for hemostasis and to prevent expansion and fragmentation of the parenchyma. PAM is easy to handle and covers the kidney completely and uniformly. Two nephrectomies were carried out and in both cases thrombosis of the renal vein was diagnosed. PAM was placed in two cases: one with rejection and the other with trauma. The remaining two patients were managed conservatively due to the good response of rejection to immunosuppressor therapy and the patients response to medical treatment. There were no deaths and complications were observed in only one patient (16.6%). All patients with preserved transplant (66.6%) had a good course and renal function was preserved.