Factors having effect on graft survival in cadaveric renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: One of the problems of cadaveric renal transplantation is that its graft survival rate is less than that for living renal transplantation. We aim to study relationships between the graft survival of cadaveric renal transplantation patients and various factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 350 cadaveric renal transplantation patients from our institutions from 1983 to 2011. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to evaluate graft survival ratios. Using a multivariable Cox regression model, we evaluated the relationship between graft survival and the factors such as age and gender of donor and recipient, body mass index of recipient, duration of hemodialysis, warm ischemic time, and acute rejection (AR), etc. RESULTS: Among 235 males and 115 females, the overall mean age was 41 years. Median follow-up was 15 years (2 to 28 years). The graft survival ratio was 97% at 1 year, 85% at 5 years, and 71% at 10 years. Using the Cox regression model, graft survival was affected by donor age (younger than 60 years; hazard ratio [HR] 1.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0-2.0; P = .027) and early acute rejection (within 3 months; HR 2.1; CI 1.6-2.8; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The graft survival of cadaveric renal transplantation patients is affected by factors of donor age and early AR.

Correlation between treated hypertension in prepregnancy and transplanted kidney function deterioration during pregnancy even if within pregnancy permission criteria.

Neither pregnancy nor birth is easy in female patients with chronic renal failure, but after kidney transplantation, childbirth is possible when the graft function is good. There are few guidelines for pregnancy permission and multiple reports of decreased transplanted kidney function after pregnancy. In this study, we analyzed factors that influenced transplanted kidney function deterioration during pregnancy. Twenty-one women among 33 total pregnancies have given birth in our institution. Factors analyzed were donor and recipient age at transplantation, birth age of recipient, living or cadaveric donor, hemodialysis period before transplantation, delivery method, presence of hypertension and protein urea at the beginning of pregnancy, and period between pregnancy and transplantation. Maternal graft function at the beginning of the pregnancy was 1.16 ± 0.39 mg/dL (range = 0.5-2.1). A rise in serum creatinine (S-Cr) before delivery was observed in 10/21 cases: six cases showed a rise in S-Cr levels at 1 or more years after delivery. From the analysis, graft function at the beginning of pregnancy became a significant factor correlating with the elevation of S-Cr levels during pregnancy (P = .002). Patients were divided into two groups by S-Cr levels at the beginning of pregnancy: group A was S-Cr ≤ 1; group B was S-Cr 1-2 mg/dL. All group A cases showed stable graft function before and after delivery. Some individuals in group B experienced deterioration of graft function during pregnancy; the others had stable graft function. The presence of treated hypertension at the beginning of pregnancy in group B significantly impacted renal dysfunction during pregnancy (P < .05). In conclusion, the presence of treated hypertension at the beginning of pregnancy was a significant risk factor for functional deterioration of the transplanted kidney during pregnancy even if the individual was initially within pregnancy permission criteria.

(99m)Tc-mercaptoacetyl triglycine renography to monitor renal transplant function among kidneys from donors after cardiac death.

PURPOSE: Delayed graft function usually occurs after kidney transplantation from donors after cardiac death, It is important to monitor graft function during the anuric period, but there have been few useful tools. Consequently, we evaluated the availability of (99m)-Tc mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3) renography. METHODS: Thirty-two patients underwent renal transplantation from donors after cardiac death between June 2, 2005, and April 14, 2011. One patient was excluded due to an acute rejection episode which developed during the dialysis period. The first (99m)Tc-MAG3 renogram was performed as early as possible after the operation and repeated until the patient was weaned from dialysis. The corrected tubular extraction rate (cTER; mL/min/1.73 m(2)) was calculated; it represents the MAG3 clearance corrected by body surface area. RESULTS: cTER was low immediately after transplantation, but increased gradually until the patient was weaned from dialysis. A significant correlation was observed between early cTER and the period of dialysis-dependence (r = -0.677, P < .001) as well as the short-term best corrected creatinine clearance (r = 0.526, P = .002). CONCLUSION: We observed that graft function can be monitored by routinely performing (99m)Tc-MAG3 renography after transplantation of kidneys from donors after cardiac death.

Is estimated donor glomerular filtration rate before death a better predictor of decreased-donor kidney function?

The worldwide shortage of deceased-donor kidneys for transplantation has become a serious issue in the past decade, leading to study of marginal donors. However, both the availability and the utility of kidneys from deceased donors are still unclear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate another method to estimate donor kidney function rather than using donor creatinine (Cr). We studied 129 recipients of deceased-donor kidneys from Maastriche donor categories III and IV. We analyzed donor Cr levels before death and recipient Cr levels at 1 year after transplant, as well as estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR). There was no significant difference in donor Cr levels at admission to the hospital and before death according to eGFR at 1 year after transplantation: <30 mL/min/1.73 m(2) versus ≧30 mL/min/1.73 m(2). However, recipients whose donors showed lower average eGFR levels on admission displayed better renal function at 1 year after transplant (P = .025). In conclusion, donor Cr levels before death was a less useful measurement to relate to recipient renal function; eGFR provided a better index.

Long-term results of the pelvic floor muscle training for female urinary incontinence: an 8-year transition tree and predictive parameters.

AIMS: The pelvic floor muscle (PFM) training is effective in alleviating the symptoms of urinary incontinence, but there are very few reports available on its long-term effectiveness. Therefore, 8-year follow-up data have been prospectively analyzed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Originally 123 women with stress or mixed urinary incontinence participated in an 8-week intensive PFM training program. The training comprised repeated muscle contractions of the pelvic floor and the timely locking of the perineum. An average of 8 years (6-10) had elapsed between the time of present assessment and the completion of the original training. Seventy-nine women were subjected to the present analysis. Self-reported responses of "completely cured" and "more than 50% improved" were regarded as treatment success (TS). An 8-year transition tree and predictive parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: The success rate of the training was 39% at the 8-year follow-up. The transition tree demonstrated that the continence/incontinence status has been varying in 42% of the women, while it was stable in 58% throughout the follow-up period. The 6-year incidence and remission rates of incontinence were 34% and 18%, respectively. The higher pressure difference in the vaginal contraction strength between the baseline and strength at the end of the training is a predictive parameter of the long-term TS. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the 8-year TS rate was 39% and that the altered patterns of the continence status and incidence and remission rates of incontinence were similar to those observed in the general population.

Long time follow up of CD28- CD4+ T cells in living kidney transplant patients.

We previously reported that the CD28(-) CD4(+) T cell subpopulation was expanded in the kidney allograft patients with long graft survival, although these T cells were rarely found in patients with graft survival <5 yr. To understand the CD28(-) CD4(+) T cells in the long-term acceptance of kidney allografts, we examined functions of this population and performed a 4 yr follow up study. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were obtained from 47 long-term living related kidney allograft recipients. CD28(+) CD4(+) and CD28(-) CD4(+) T cells purified by cell sorting were analyzed for expression of V(beta) repertoire. Donor-specific response was examined in mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). A follow up study with long-term kidney allograft patients was performed for 4 yr about the rate of CD28(-) CD4(+) T cells. Eleven patients were examined by MLRs against donors and third party. Four patients with a marked increase of CD28(-) CD4(+) T cells showed the donor-specific responses appeared to be lower when compared with third party-specific responses. Freshly sorted CD28(-) CD4(+) T cells showed a restricted V(beta) repertoire, whereas the V(beta) usage of CD28(+) CD4(+) T cells from the same patients was much diversified. Such difference in V(beta) repertoire was not evident between the two populations from healthy control. A follow up study showed the ratio of CD28(-) CD4(+) T cells appeared to be lower in patients who were suspected of chronic rejection. These unusual CD4(+) T cells might be related to the long-term acceptance of human transplant allografts.

Ureteral fibroepithelial polyp associated with urolithiasis induced by steroid therapy in a child: a case report.

A 14-year-old boy complained of left flank pain. He had been given high-dose corticosteroid therapy for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). Retrograde pyelography revealed irregular defects at the left ureteropelvic junction (UPJ), and ureteroscopy demonstrated ureteral polyp. The polyp was removed and histologically diagnosed as fibroepithelial polyp. Hypercalciuria due to the corticosteroids and bedridden was assumed to have been a causative factor in the stone formation. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a ureteral fibroepithelial polyp in children associated with urolithiasis, and associated with CIDP.

The long-term outcome of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for small renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy in patients with small renal cell carcinoma, we analyzed the long-term results in those treated with laparoscopy and those undergoing open surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 149 patients with tumors less than 5 cm. in diameter enrolled in a radical nephrectomy program between January 1992 and March 2000. Of these patients 103 were treated laparoscopically and the remaining 46 underwent open surgery. Patient followup was until June 30, 2000. RESULTS: Laparoscopy followup was from 3 to 95 months (median 29). A total of 100 patients survived, 2 died without any recurrent disease in months 34 and 45, respectively, and 1 dropped out in postoperative month 3. Seeding of the port sites did not develop in any of the patients. There were 3 patients who had metastatic disease in months 3, 19 and 61, respectively, and 1 had local recurrence in postoperative month 43. The 5-year disease-free and patient survival rates were 95.1%, and 95.0%, respectively. Except for 2 patients who dropped out in months 10 and 16, respectively, 44 who underwent open surgery were followed from 11 to 101 months (median). Of the 44 patients 41 survived without any recurrent disease, 1 also survived with metastasis and 2 died of metastatic disease in months 7 and 11, respectively. The 5-year disease-free and patient survival rates were 89.7% and 95.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy can be an alternative to open nephrectomy in patients with localized small renal cell carcinoma.

[Bilateral synchronous testicular seminomas: a case report and review of the Japanese literature].

A 39-year-old man was referred to our hospital with right testicular swelling. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed bilateral, synchronous testicular tumors. Bilateral high inguinal orchiectomy was performed. Histological examination revealed anaplastic seminomas. Prophylactic radiation therapy was performed in the para-aortic and pelvic regions postoperatively, and no signs of metastasis have been found during the follow-up period of more than 5 months. Including the present case, 186 cases of bilateral testicular tumors reported in Japan are reviewed.

Long-term stone recurrence rate after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

PURPOSE: We followed patients who were stone-free after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) to investigate the factors that contributed to recurrent calculi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For longer than 5 years 903 patients without residual fragments 3 months after ESWL were enrolled in this study. Plain abdominal films and/or excretory urograms were evaluated every 6 months for recurrent stones on the side of ESWL. Patients who presented with colic pain or other complaints and who were suspected of having recurrent stones were also examined. Stone recurrence rates were calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method. We assessed the influence of patient age; size, location, composition and configuration of the original stones, and pyuria after ESWL on stone recurrence. RESULTS: Mean followup was 25 months and stones recurred in 183 of 903 renal units (20.3%). Kaplan-Meier recurrence rates were 6.7, 28.0 and 41.8% after 1, 3 and 5 years, respectively. There was a significant correlation between stone recurrence and multiple stones on one hand, and pyuria after ESWL on the other hand. Stones recurred most frequently in the lower calix. Recurrent stones were passed without intervention in 33 cases, while ESWL was repeated in 53. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate the importance of long-term followup and the search for an effective prophylactic therapy to prevent recurrence.

[Treatment of stone street after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy of staghorn calculi].

During ESWL monotherapy for staghorn calculi, the formation of a stone street in the ureter is often encountered, and can be a troublesome problem. At the Komaki Shimin Hospital, 75 patients with staghorn calculi were treated with ESWL monotherapy using a Dornier HM-3 lithotriptor between October 1987 and August 1992. Among them, three patients had involvement of both collecting systems. An indwelling double J catheter was always inserted during treatment. Our strategy for the treatment of stone street was as follows; observation was initially performed for one month after ESWL, as long as pyelonephritis and/or complete obstruction did not occur. In the patients without any improvement of the stone street, TUL or ESWL was then performed for removal. A stone street (stone fragments extending > or = 4 cm) was formed in 38 of 78 renal units (49%). In 14 cases (37%), it disappeared spontaneously. TUL was required in 14 unit (37%), ESWL in eight units (21%), and both procedures in two units (5%). In one unit (3%), renal function was severely damaged. In another unit, ureteric perforation occurred during the TUL procedure, and caused stone loss outside the ureter. To clarify the factors causing stone street, we compared the number of shock waves, the size of the stones, the severity of hydronephrosis and renal function in stone street formers and non-formers. However there were no significant differences among these factors. In conclusion, since it is impossible to predict stone street formation after ESWL monotherapy for staghorn calculi, patency of the indwelling double J catheter should be maintained and stone removal should be attempted after one month if necessary.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy using the Dornier MPL 9000 lithotriptor.

336 patients with urinary calculi were treated between June 1988 and October 1991 with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy using the Dornier MPL 9000 lithotriptor. Of 352 renal units (a kidney and its ureter), 286 had renal stones, 62 had ureteral stones and 10 had both. There were radiolucent stones in 6 units. The complete disintegration rate was 94%. The mean number of shock waves was 2,973, the range being from 300 to 16,131. In 310 of 447 (64%) sessions, treatment was done without any anesthesia. The rate of complete removal was 67.3% 3 months after the last treatment. Only 11 patients required supplementary treatment consisting of percutaneous nephrolithotripsy and transurethral lithotripsy. There were no severe complications except subcapsular hematomas observed in 2 patients. The Dornier MPL 9000 is a useful lithotriptor for the treatment of urinary calculi, except staghorn calculi.

[Transurethral ureterolithotripsy with rigid ureteroscope--efficacy of balloon dilation of ureteral orifice and intramural ureter].

In order to minimize the late complications of transurethral ureterolithotripsy with a rigid ureteroscope such as distal ureteral stricture or vesicoureteral reflux, we have performed a balloon dilation of the ureteral orifice and the intramural ureter prior to insertion of a rigid ureteroscope in 62 cases with ureteral calculi between October 1986 and December 1991. A 7F balloon dilator (Bard Co. USA) was cystoscopically inserted into the ureter over a 0.038 inches Radifocus guide wire (Terumo Co., Japan) and then, a balloon was inflated to 15F size with saline using a 10 ml disposal syringe. Thereafter, an 11.5F rigid ureteroscope (Wolf Co., Germany) was inserted instead of a balloon dilator. The stone was disintegrated and removed by ultrasonic lithotripter, electrohydraulic lithotripter and/or basket forceps. The stone was removed completely in 45 cases (72.6%) and incompletely in 10 (16.1%). In 7 cases (11.3%), the stone removal was failed. Long-term follow up with an excretory urography obtained at 6 months or later in 31 cases showed no distal ureteral stricture. Voiding cystography was performed in 33 cases at a mean 2.8 months postoperatively and no vesicoureteral reflux was observed. In control group, 309 cases were treated with transurethral ureterolithotripsy without dilation of the ureteral orifice and the intramural ureter between the same period. A complete removal was achieved in 262 cases (84.8%) and an incomplete removal in 16 (5.2%). 31 (10%) was failed. Distal ureteral stricture due to this procedure was found in 3 cases (2.1%) in 141 long term followed up cases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Transrectal hyperthermia for chronic prostatitis].

Transrectal hyperthermia was performed on 13 patients with chronic non-bacterial prostatitis which failed to respond to the conventional treatments. We used "Prostathermer" (Biodan-Medical system, Israel) for heating the prostate gland. The prostate was heated at 42 degrees C-43 degrees C, for 60 minutes in 1 session. Treatment consisted of 6 sessions, and was performed during a period of three weeks on an outpatient basis. Of 11 patients re-evaluated after 3 months, 6 (55%) achieved improvement of subjective symptoms. Of 9 patients, 4 (44%) showed reduction of the number of white blood cells (> or = 10 leukocytes count per high-power field) in their expressed prostatic secretion (EPS), which however was not always correlate with improvement of subjective symptoms. No complications were encountered in our series. Our result indicates that local hyperthermia is safe, and would become new modality in the treatment for chronic prostatitis.