Fast detection of renal ischemia in transplanted kidneys with delayed graft function-an experimental study.

BACKGROUND: The newly transplanted kidney is difficult to monitor with regard to postoperative vascular thrombosis, especially when there is delayed graft function. We evaluated microdialysis as a tool for early ischemia detection in porcine kidneys with delayed graft function early after transplantation. METHODS: Sixteen pigs were transplanted with 26-hr cold ischemia kidneys. A microdialysis catheter was placed in the lateral renal cortex. Five hours after graft reperfusion, the pigs were randomized to renal arterial clamping or open artery, n=8 in each group, and further observed for 2 hr. RESULTS: The diuresis and glomerular filtration rate were low and decreasing throughout the study, with no significant differences between groups. Until arterial clamping, there were no significant differences in the development of local renal metabolites between the two groups. Renal artery clamping immediately caused significantly different development of all metabolites (P<0.02 for all) compared to the open artery group. After clamping, levels of glutamate and glycerol were significantly increased within 30 min (P=0.0049 and P=0.0061, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Microdialysis provided an early warning of arterial occlusion in transplanted grafts with delayed graft function. It may become a valuable tool for postoperative monitoring and detection of thrombosis after renal transplantation.

Improved GFR and renal plasma perfusion following remote ischaemic conditioning in a porcine kidney transplantation model.

Delayed graft function (DGF) complicates approximately 25% of kidney allografts donated after brain death (DBD). Remote ischaemic conditioning (rIC) involves brief, repetitive, ischaemia in a distant tissue in connection with ischaemia/reperfusion in the target organ. rIC has been shown to induce systemic protection against ischaemic injuries. Using a porcine kidney transplantation model with donor (63 kg) recipient (15 kg) size mismatch, we investigated the effects of recipient rIC on early renal plasma perfusion and GFR. Brain death was induced in donor pigs (n = 8) and kidneys were removed and kept in cold storage until transplantation. Nephrectomized recipient pigs were randomized to rIC (n = 8) or non-rIC (n = 8) with one kidney from the same donor in each group. rIC consisted of 4 × 5 min clamping of the abdominal aorta. GFR was significantly higher in the rIC group compared with non-rIC (7.2 ml/min vs. 3.4 ml/min; ΔGFR = 3.7 ml/min, 95%-CI: 0.3-7.2 ml/min, P = 0.038). Renal plasma perfusion in both cortex and medulla measured by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was significantly higher over time in the rIC group compared with non-rIC. This experimental study demonstrated a positive effect of rIC on early graft perfusion and function in a large animal transplantation model.

Pediatric robot assisted retroperitoneoscopic pyeloplasty: a 5-year experience.

PURPOSE: We report our 5-year experience with retroperitoneoscopic robot assisted pyeloplasty for the treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction in children using the da Vinci Surgical System. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 65 children (median age 7.9 years, range 1.7 to 17.1) underwent 67 robot assisted retroperitoneoscopic pyeloplasties with the da Vinci Surgical System between 2002 and 2006. Operative data were sampled prospectively, while outcome data were collected from chart review. Retroperitoneal access was modified from standard retroperitoneoscopic access due to the limits of the camera arm movement. RESULTS: Median operative time was 143 minutes (range 93 to 300). Complications occurred in 12 of the 67 procedures (17.9%), with urinary tract infection observed in 2 cases, transient hematuria in 2, displaced Double-J catheter in 3 and postoperative temporary nephrostomy in 4. One case was converted to open surgery due to lack of space and limits in the movement of the camera arm. Four patients (6%) underwent repeat surgery due to a kinking ureter (2 patients), an overlooked aberrant vessel (1) and decreasing differential function on renography necessitating balloon dilation (1). In all other cases followup was uneventful. CONCLUSIONS: Robot assisted retroperitoneoscopic pyeloplasty gives more direct access to the ureteropelvic junction, allowing shorter operative times with results and complication rates comparable to transperitoneal robot assisted pyeloplasty, and laparoscopic and open procedures in children.

The outcome of detrusor myotomy in children with neurogenic bladder dysfunction.

PURPOSE: We evaluate the outcome of detrusor myotomy for neurogenic bladder dysfunction (NBD) in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of data compiled from medical and urodynamic records of children younger than 16 years with NBD who had undergone detrusor myotomy from 1992 to 2000 at our department. RESULTS: Surgery was performed in 14 children with a mean age +/- SD of 6.7 +/- 4.3 years (range 0.9 to 14.2) and mean followup of 5.9 +/- 1.7 years. All patients were diagnosed with NBD, which was the result of myelomeningocele in 9, sacral agenesis in 2, lumbosacral lipoma in 1, multiple vertebral anomalies in 1 and spinal neuroblastoma in 1. Main indications for surgery included urinary incontinence in 11 cases and high pressure/low capacity bladders with vesicoureteral reflux and impending renal damage in 8. No major postoperative complications were recorded. Although mean maximal cystometric bladder capacity was unchanged 1 month postoperatively (89.7 +/- 70.6 ml) compared to preoperatively (92.5 +/- 75.1 ml, p = 0.87), significant increments of 216%, 237% and 292% were measurable at 3 months, 1 year and 5 years, respectively. Ultimately most of the patients approached age specific capacities. Complete continence on clean intermittent catheterization was achieved by 8 of 11 patients and improved markedly in 1. Reflux was alleviated in 6 cases and improved in 1. Kidney function developed normally in all but 1 patient with persistent reflux. CONCLUSIONS: When feasible, detrusor myotomy offers a safe and effective alternative for the management of pharmacologically intractable NBD in children.

Outcome of new surgical techniques in hypospadia repair.

OBJECTIVE: Retrospectively we evaluated the outcome of all primary hypospadia operations done at Skejby Sygehus, Aarhus University Hospital, in the period May 1999 to March 2001. In that period the concept of treating hypospadias was changed from mainly the Mathiau operation and the preputial skin tube (Duckett) to the method of Barcat (and Koyanagi). MATERIAL AND METHODS: During the study period 101 boys consecutively underwent treatment of hypospadias using mainly the techniques of Koyanagi, Barcat and the Glanular Approximation Procedure (GAP). RESULTS: Cosmetic and functional outcome were excellent. Complications consisted of 12% urethrocutaneous fistula of which the majorities were seen in the first year after taken up the new techniques. There were 3% meatal stenosis and no urethral diverticula. CONCLUSION: The short-term results of the new techniques are superior in cosmetic and functional outcome. The fistula rate was a little high in the start of the period after introducing the new techniques but have fallen to a level comparable to other centres results. The level of fistula is comparable to other centres results.