Surgical Management of Kidney Transplant Complications: A Single-Center Experience

INTRODUCTION: Kidney transplant is the most effective treatment for end-stage renal disease, although complications occurring after surgery can be detrimental both to graft success and patient survival. The present study analyzes the complications that occurred following kidney transplant procedures performed in our center over a 4-year period.
METHODS: The data of 116 patients who underwent renal transplantation procedures from 2018 to 2021 were reviewed, and the data of 13 patients who underwent repeat surgery after developing complications within 4 years of their procedures, as well as 20 patients randomly selected from among those who did not develop complications, were subjected to deeper review. The complications and the risk factors associated with re-operation were then compared based on demographic data, preoperative and postoperative clinical data, complication types and outcomes.
RESULTS: A total of 33 patients (24 male, 72.7%; 9 female, 27.3%) were included in the study. Right kidney donation, female sex and preoperative blood transfusion were identified as significant risk factors for re-operation (p<0.05), and duration of hospital stay and healthcare costs were significantly higher in the complication group. Vascular, urological and general surgical complications were treated surgically to increase both graft success and patient survival.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The early recognition and effective management of surgical complications occurring after kidney transplantation are crucial for both graft success and patient survival. Furthermore, the identification of risk factors contributes significantly to patient follow-up and the identification of optimum surgical strategies.