[Kidney transplantation in pediatric patients : 18-year experience at Hotel-Dieu de France]

Introduction: During the period from September 1993 to March 2011, 79 kidney transplants in children and adolescents less than 18 years old were performed in our department; fifty-six in the familial group and 13 in the cadaveric group. We report in this study: immunosuppression protocols, medical and surgical complications [including rejection episodes], graft and patient survival

Material and methods: Immunosuppression protocol has been modified throughout those eighteen years. Induction therapy includes serum antilymphocyte + cyclosporine + azathioprine and prednisone. Since 2000, azathioprine was replaced by mycophenolate mofetil and since January 2005 cyclosporine was given as well as tacrolymus according to EBV status. Basiliximab- Simulect [Registered Sign] was included in the protocol since 2010

Results: Surgical complications were only two lymphoceles, reversible after surgical drainage in the peritoneum. Medical complications were mainly infections or rejections. Thirty-six episodes of rejection occurred: 7 in the commercial group, 16 in the familial group and 13 in the cadaveric group. At the end of the study, 9 patients returned to dialysis, 5 from the cadaveric group, 2 from the familial group and 2 from the commercial group

Conclusion: After eighteen years experience in kidney transplant, we believe that kidney transplant remains the optimal treatment for terminal renal failure even for children weighing less than 10 kg. The follow-up of pediatric patients with kidney transplant revealed different positive effects on growth, regular school attendance and psychomotor development. At the end of the study: 24 are at school, 12 at universities, 5 are attending specialized schools and 9 are active workers

[Successful familial kidney transplant in an infant weighing less than 10 kg : case report and review of the literature]

We report the case of a Lebanese infant born by normal delivery at 40 weeks of gestation. Weight and height at birth were 3200 grams and 49 cm respectively. Serum creatinine in the first week of life was 323 mmol/l [normal value for age is less than 20 mmol/L]. Kidney ultrasound confirmed diagnosis of hypoplastic small kidneys. Conservative treatment of renal failure was initiated from the first days of life. Conservative management of renal failure included careful attention to fluid balance, maintenance of adequate nutrition and correction of hyperkalemia, acidosis, hyperphosphatemia and prevention of renal osteodystrophy by the use of dietary phosphate binders and vitamin D analogs. After a slight decrease of serum creatinine in the first three months of life, creatininemia increased progressively despite conservative treatment associated to hyperkalemia and severe pruritis due to hyperphosphatemia. Faced with the progression of renal failure, we decided to start automated peritoneal dialysis at seven months of life. Weight and height were respectively 6200 g and 63 cm. Serum creatinine was 432 mmol/L. Pruritis improved after starting peritoneal dialysis as well as appetite. At 20 months of life and a weight of 9.7 kg, a familial kidney transplant was performed. Immunosuppressive treatment included Simulect[Registered sign], on day 1 and day 4, associated to mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolymus and prednisolone. The immediate post-transplant period was complicated by urinay tract infection due to BSLE E. coli. After four episodes of urinary tract infection due to resistant E. coli associated to a non obstructive stone of 15 mm in the allograft kidney, we performed two sessions of lithotripsy and placed a double J stent. Biochemical urinary analysis did not reveal any causes for lithiasis. Stone disappeared as well as infection after lithotripsy. Renal function is normal for age one year after the kidney transplant. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a successful kidney transplant in a Lebanese infant with kidney failure since birth with kidney transplant performed at less than 10 kg of weight on the transplant day. Peritoneal dialysis is the treatment of choice for infants with chronic kidney failure. Familial or cadaveric kidney transplant should be encouraged and performed even in infants weighing less than 10 kg allowing them to have normal growth as well as social and school integration

Milestones and basic principles

Current shortage in organ donors led to the expansion of criteria for organ donation placing organ preservation as one cornerstone for successful transplant, graft function and survival. The historical work of Belzer and Collins paved the way for key descriptions of physiopathology of cell ischemia and protection [cytokines roles, oxidative stress, energy shift to lactic acidosis and perfusion pressure changes]. Good preservation means immediate recovery of function and prevention of chronic rejection. Two cooling approaches are available: static [SCS: simple cold storage] suitable for all organs, and dynamic [HMP: hypothermic machines perfusion] designed for kidneys and liver. A thorough discussion of historically manufactured and widely sold preservation solutions e.g. EuroCollins, UW solution [Viaspan [Registered sign]] as well as current used solutions e.g. Custodiol Registered sign] and the new Celsior is available in this review. Obviously, every single organ exhibits different tolerance to warm and cold ischemia depending on its nature and demands after transplant. Future perspectives of organ preservation may be hidden in hibernators which may hold the enigmas of perfect human organ preservation

Pregnancy and renal transplantation

Pregnancy is common nowadays in kidney transplant female patients because of medical and surgical advances. However, pregnancy is a high risk one in these patients. Fertility is rapidly restored after the transplantation; thus, contraception is a good option in the first year. Adding to that, pregnancy can endanger the allograft function in the presence of hypertension, a moderate to severe kidney disease and proteinuria. Medical complications are more prevalent in kidney transplant population, such as infections, gestational hypertension and diabetes and anemia. Low birth weight infants and premature delivery are two other major concerns in this population. Acute rejection of the allograft is another major complication that can be avoided with close monitoring of the graft and convenient immunosuppression. Immunosuppressive drugs must be continued during pregnancy except for mycophenolic acid and sirolimus that can be teratogen. Delivery of kidney transplant patients should be vaginal and spontaneous. Cesarean section should be reserved for obstetrical indications. Prophylactic antibiotics should be administered for every invasive procedure. Patients treated with corticosteroids can breastfeed their babies. Kidney donating women can have a safe pregnancy but with a slight risk of gestational diabetes and hypertension. In summary, a multidisciplinary medical team should follow pregnant kidney transplant patients in a tertiary center. International and national registries are a must to collect data concerning this particular high-risk population in order to solve unanswered questions

[Infertility and kidney transplantation]

Renal failure impairs the endocrine system, especially in women, due to hyperprolac-tinemia, altering fertility, ovulatory cycles, libido and growth in adolescents. Renal transplantation is considered the best solution to the problems of renal failure and and of dialysis, as evidenced by comparing the rate of hyperprolactinemia [100% in chronic renal failure, 60% in patients on dialysis and 35% in posttransplantation]. Kidney transplant is less efficient for restoring perfect function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis due in part to the immunosuppressant regimens prescribed. When these drugs are properly managed, transplantation will restore near normal sexual function

Living donor nephrectomy : Open vs laparoscopy. Renal function and complications

This study is to compare the short and long-term renal function between adult recipients of living laparoscopic and open donors [LR vs OR] to highlight the effect of the surgical technique on graft function. Moreover, we chose to compare the organic [hypertension, proteinuria, serum creatinine] and psychological [aspect of libido, need for anxiolytics] long-term effect of the surgery between laparoscopic and open donors [LD vs OD]

Methods: After census of adult recipients and living donors between 2003 and 2012, and after application of exclusion criteria and selection of homogeneous groups of donors and recipients, a retrospective cohort study was conducted between October 2008 and January 2012. In recipients, renal function in the short term was reported by the value of serum creatinine at +/- D5 post-op and the long-term values of serum creatinine at 6 and 12 months after surgery. Delayed graft function was defined by a serum creatinine value >/= 2.5 mg/dl on D5 post-op. A questionnaire for donors was established

Results: The two groups OR and LR were homogeneous concerning age, sex and body mass index [BMI]. Different groups OD and LD, chosen according to the variable of interest, were made homogeneous. Despite a different warm ischemia time between the 2 groups [175.54 seconds in LR vs 44.67 seconds in OR, p < 0.001], renal function in the short- and long-term in recipients was not statistically different [At day 5, 1.54 vs 1.50 mg/dl, p = 0.781; at 6 months, 1.37 vs 1.38, p = 0.871; at 12 months, 1.34 vs 1.36, p = 0.569, in OR and LR respectively]. Similarly, there was no significant statistical difference concerning organic and psychological complications between OD and LD except for a shorter period between hospital discharge and return to work in LD

Conclusion: In our center, renal function in the shortand long-term was similar in OR and LR. Apart from the advantages offered by the laparoscopic technique, organic and psychological long-term effects were similar between OD and LD. Nevertheless, laparoscopy seemed to facilitate kidney donation and is requested by almost all living donors independently of their social status

[Immunosuppressive protocols in kidney transplantation : with or without induction?]

Kidney transplantation is the treatment of choice of end stage kidney disease. Over the years, kidney transplantation progressed tremendously, mainly by the improvement of immunosuppressive drugs used in the prevention of acute rejection. Since the introduction of cyclosporine in the 80s, many immunosuppressive protocols have been established. These protocols are characterized by two strategies: with or without induction. The agents used in induction therapies can be polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies. The decision of using induction therapy relies mainly on the evaluation of the immunological risk in the recipient. Even if protocols with induction have improved early results concerning acute rejection, the protocols without induction seem justified in some candidates. The optimal immunosuppressive protocol is not yet established, and individualization of immunosuppressive treatment is necessary

Donor specific anti-HLA antibodies detection and impact in kidney transplantation

Kidney transplantation is now accepted to be the best treatment for end-stage renal disease. Despite the improvement of immunosuppressive therapy, there is still actually substantial loss of allografts, in part due to uncontrolled humoral immunity. For many years, the primary technique for the detection of anti-HLA antibodies was the CDC [complement dependent cytotoxicity]. The recent use of solid phase assays, mainly the Luminex technology allowed detection of antibodies at much lower levels, and it has been shown that these antibodies have negative impact on the graft survival. We herein review the principal techniques for anti-HLA detection and the different presentations of humoral rejection

Cytomegalovirus infection post kidney transplant: What should we know now

Cytomegalovirus [CMV] remains one of the most important pathogen responsible for the morbidity and mortality of transplantation patients. The impact on recipients depends on the form of CMV infection knowing that 10% to 50% develop symptomatic disease while solid organ involvement if presumed [e.g. CMV nephritis] may have deleterious outcome and requires histopathology testing. Treatment with antivirals IV ganciclovir and valganciclovir is managed according to early diagnostic tools with quantitative nucleic acid testing [QNAT] and antigenemia that will indicate the extent of disease and monitor response to treatment. CMV prevention in particular conditions of high risk patients has proven to be beneficial, resistance to antivirals and CMV vaccines along with novel therapies are thoroughly discussed in this review describing the new perspectives of CMV infection management

[Complications urinaires fonctionnelles apres chirurgie uterine radicale Revue de la litterature]

Background and study objective: Radical hysterectomy is the surgery of reference for cervical cancer at an early stage. However, it causes functional urinary complications. The purpose of this article is to review the literature recalling the anatomy of the pelvic nerves and their relation to the various viscera, to better understand the etiology of urinary functional disorders associated with pelvic autonomic nerve section, and their prevention techniques

Methodology and findings: A systematic search of the medical literature and PubMed from 1950 to 2013 showed that urinary complications are mainly a decreased sensation of need, urine output and bladder compliance, an increase in residual urine volume, and a urinary incontinence. Causes include a vegetative denervation, anatomical changes causing loss of the support of the urethra and the vesical neck as well as the local trauma. The severity of vesicoureteral dysfunction is associated with the degree of radical hysterectomy. Radiotherapy can increase associated urinary morbidity of radical hysterectomy. These complications can be avoided with conservative surgery for pelvic nerves initiated by the Japanese Yabuki. In the postoperative course of a radical hysterectomy, it is important to avoid and treat bladder overdistensions, diagnose and treat any urinary tract infections that are often asymptomatic

Conclusion: Knowledge of the surgical anatomy of the nerves and their relation to other pelvic structures, allows the improvement of postoperative functional urinary outcomes

Laparoscopic treatment of vaginal agenesis: Three cases

Ninety per cent of cases of con- genital vaginal agenesis are represented by the Mayer- Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome, the remaining 10% being represented by the testicular feminization syndrome and vaginal aplasia. Numerous surgical methods for the treatment of vaginal agenesis have been described. Neovagina construction by sigmoid colpoplasty seems to be the best surgical option as regards the anatomical and functional out- come. We report the case of three patients oper- ated of neovagina construction with a sigmoid graft by a laparoscopic-perineal approach. The surgical intervention lasted for 330 minutes, 210 minutes and 150 minutes respectively for the three patients. There were no perioperative complications. The duration of hospitalization was respectively 7, 4 and 6 days. The length of the neovagina was 15, 14 and 18 cm without retraction on the follow-up at 2 and 6 months. The vaginal wall maintained its paten- cy allowing normal intercourse. The patients had normal sexual life after the surgery. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of laparoscopic-perineal neovagina construction by sigmoid colpoplasty when it is performed by experienced surgeons in gynecology and digestive laparoscopic surgery

Cutaneous aspergillosis in a renal transplant recipient

Aspergillosis is a serious infection in renal transplant patients especially if dissemina-tion occurs. We report a case of primary cutaneous aspergillosis, an extremely rare entity described in only four cases in renal transplant. It should be sought when surgical wound shows a rapidly growing necrotizing features early post transplant and without evidence of hematogeneous or contiguous tissue or organ involvement. Early suspicion, diagnosis, extensive surgical debridement as well as rapid institution of Amphotericin B can minimize the risk of dissemination

maladie de von Hippel-Lindau: stude moleculaire de deux familles Libanaises et analyse de la correlation genotype-phenotype

The von Hippel-Lindau syndrome [VHL] is a dominantly transmitted hereditary disorder associating multisystemic tumors affecting mainly the central nervous system, the kidneys, the pancreas, as well as pheochromocytomas. Mutations of the tumor suppressor gene VHL on chromosome 3 are responsible for the disease. This article reports for the first time the study of two Lebanese VHL affected families, presenting particularly hemangioblastomas of the central nervous system. Two different mutations of the VHL gene, S65W and F76S, respectively identified in the two families, confirmed the clinical diagnosis of the patients. Molecular diagnosis was then performed for at risk members of these families. This article reveals the importance of molecular diagnosis for suspected patients and of presymptomatic diagnosis for at risk members, especially that a close follow-up of carriers allows an early detection of tumors and prevents the metastasis stage, the most common cause of death of these patients

Traitement de l'hypospadias par le lambeau pedicule preputial transverse

With a better understanding of the penile vasculature, many one-stage techniques were proposed for mid-shaft and posterior hypospadias repair including the Duckett's technique with the transverse preputial island flap [TPIF]. We performed the Duckett's technique on 25 patients with penile hypospadias with the following no cases of meatal stenosis and three cases of urethrocutaneous fistula [12%]. The three cases of urethrocutaneous fistula were reported in the first 15 patients where the neo-urethra was closed in one layer but no case of fistula was reported in the last 10 patients where the neo-urethra was closed in two layers: the difference is significative [P< 0.05]. in conclusion, the duckett's technique with the two-layer closure technique of the neo-urethra is a good alternative for penile hypospadias repair