Multivariate analysis of complications after simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: Identification of factors that have an impact on postoperative complications after simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation (SPKTx) could help overcome limitations of this kind of treatment. METHODS: Postoperative complications among 112 SPKTx recipients were divided into 3 groups: related to transplanted pancreas (n = 66), related to transplanted kidney (n = 23) and general surgical complications (n = 31) 120 refers to complications among 112 recipients. According to the modified Clavien-Dindo scale, complications were classified according to their severity for each group. Risk factors for complication development related to donor, recipient, surgical technique, and immunosuppression were included to establish the multivariable model using logistic regression. RESULTS: Multiple regression analysis showed the following independent factors influenced mortal complications due to transplanted pancreas: age of donor (OR, 1.07; P < .04), duration of vascular pancreas anastomosis above 35 minutes (OR, 3.94; P < .04) and duration of recipient dialysis above 24 months before transplantation (OR, 0.14; P < .01). Area under receiver operating characteristic curve for this model was 0.8. CONCLUSION: To improve results, the following modification of identified risk factors should be assumed: selection of donor in term of age, shortening of the second warm ischemia time, and adjustment of the waiting list to avoid prolongation of recipient dialysis before SPKTx.

Early complications related to the transplanted kidney after simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: Simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation (SPKTx) is the most often performed multiorgan transplantation. The main source of complication is transplanted pancreas; as a result, early complications related to kidney transplant are rarely assessed. The aim of this study was to evaluate prevalence, types, and severity of postoperative complications due to kidney graft among the simultaneous pancreas and kidney recipients. METHODS: Complications related to transplanted kidney among 112 SPKTx recipients were analyzed. The indication for SPKTx was end-stage diabetic nephropathy due to long-lasting diabetes type 1. The cumulative survival rates for kidney graft function and cumulative freedom from complication on days 60 and 90 after transplantation were assessed. Severity of complications was classified according to the modified Dindo-Clavien scale. RESULTS: The 12-month cumulative survival rate for kidney graft was 0.91. Cumulative freedom from complication on the 60th day after transplantation was 0.84. The rates for II, IIIA, IIIB, IVA, and IVB severity grades were: 34.9%, 4.3%, 26.1%, 26.1%, and 8.6%, respectively. Acute tubular necrosis and rejection were the most frequent (43.4%) cause of complication. The most frequent reasons for graft nephrectomy were infections (2/7; 28.6%) and vascular thrombosis due to atherosclerosis of recipient iliac arteries (2/7; 28.6%). The most severe (IVB) complications were caused by fungal infection. CONCLUSION: Rate and severity of complications due to renal graft after SPKTx was low; however, to prevent the most serious ones reduction of fungal infection was necessary.

Surgical complications related to transplanted pancreas after simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: Simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation (SPTKx) is characterized by the high rate and variability of postoperative complications, which could be a limitation of this treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate prevalence, types, and severity of postoperative complications due to pancreas graft among the simultaneous pancreas and kidney recipients. METHODS: Postoperative complications related to transplanted pancreas among 112 SPTKx recipients were analyzed. The cumulative survival rates for pancreas graft function and cumulative freedom from complication on day 60 after transplantation were assessed. Severity of complications was classified according to a modified Clavien-Dindo scale. RESULTS: The 12-month cumulative survival rate for pancreatic graft was 0.74. Cumulative freedom from complication on the 60th day after transplantation was 0.57. The rates for II, IIIA, IIIB, IVA, and IVB severity grades were 10,6%, 4,5%, 19,7%, 44%, and 21,2%, respectively. The most severe (IVB) transplanted pancreas complications were due to graft inflammation, infection, pancreatic abscess, and local or diffuse necrosis. The most frequent reason for graft pancreatectomy was vascular thrombosis 35.9% (14/39). The mortality rate after graft pancreatectomy was significantly lower for vascular thrombosis than for infection (0/14 vs 11/25; P < .05). CONCLUSION: Reducing vascular thrombosis could preserve graft function rate. Preventing graft inflammation and infection would reduce mortality.

Influence of simultaneous pancreas and preemptive kidney transplantation on severity of postoperative complications.

BACKGROUND: Simultaneous pancreas and preemptive kidney transplantation (SPpreKT) seems to be the optimal treatment for the patients with diabetes type 1 who are progressing to end-stage renal disease. On the other hand, surgical complications with a high rate of relaparatomy are a limiting factor in pancreas transplantation. OBJECTIVE: Comparison of severity of surgical complications was performed between a group of preemptive (SPpreKT group) and nonpreemptive recipients of SPKT (SPKT group). METHODS: Between 1988 and 2010, we performed 112 SPKTs including 25 preemptive recipients (22.3%). The SPKT Group included 87 recipients (77.7%). The severity of complications was classified according to a modified Clavien scale: grade I, no complication; grade II, drug therapy; grade IIIA, invasive intervention not requiring general anesthesia; grade IIIB, invasive intervention requiring general anesthesia; grade IVA, graft failure; and grade IVB, death. RESULTS: Among the SPpreKT group, 64% of recipients were free from postoperative complications compared with 40.3% of the SPKT group (P<.01). Among the SPKT group, 52 recipients (59.7%) developed 58 postoperative complications, including 15 (17.3%) deaths due to graft pancreatitis (80%) or pancreatic fistula (20%). Among the SPpreKT group, 9 recipients developed 9 complications. None of the preemptively transplanted group subjects experienced a lethal complication. Among the SPpreKT group, the most severe complication was graft pancreatitis leading to graft removal in 2 recipients. CONCLUSIONS: Recipients of preemptive SPKT developed significantly fewer postoperative complications, especially deaths. However the rates of mild (II, IIIA) and moderate (IIIB) complications as well as graft failures (IVA) were similar to the nonpreemptive group.

Influence of pancreas and kidney transplant function on recipient survival.

The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term survival after simultaneous pancreas and kidney (SPK) transplantation in relation to function of both grafts. Among 67 recipients who received SPK transplants between 1988 and 2004, 35 had follow-up longer than 18 months, and were divided into: group I (n = 20), recipients with good function of both grafts; group II (n = 7), patients who had lost transplanted pancreas but had still good kidney graft function; group III (n = 8), patients who had lost both grafts. Comparison of survival rates and analysis of the reason of mortality among groups was performed. The cumulative survival rate was significantly higher in group I than in group III (after 3, 5, 10 years: 100%, 100%, 80% vs 75%, 50%, 37%, respectively). Cumulative survival rate for group II after 3, 5, 10 years was 100%, 100%, 33%, respectively. There were no significant differences in survival rates between groups I and II and between groups II and III. In group I deaths for cardiovascular event and for leukemia were noted. In group II deaths due to cardiovascular event and sepsis were observed. In group III all patients died due to cardiovascular events and the mean time from loss of pancreas and kidney graft function to death was: 75 +/- 51 months (range from 19 to 142), and 49 +/- 26 months (range 19 to 99), respectively. Good pancreas and kidney graft functions prevent death due to cardiovascular event.

Duodenal patch and sphincterotomy: modification of an old technique to prevent graft pancreatitis.

The aim of this study was to preliminarily evaluate the duodenal patch technique combined with open sphincterotomy in terms of prevention of graft pancreatitis. From April 2003 to March 2005, 17 simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantations were performed using this technique. All recipients are alive with good renal transplant function. Directly after sphincterotomy in 16 pancreatic grafts a good outflow of clear pancreatic juice and a lessening of graft tenseness were observed during surgery. In two transplants an additional sphincterotomy of the Santorini duct sphincter was necessary. In one recipient no pancreatic juice secretion was observed and insulin independence was not obtained. This graft was explanted shortly afterward. In 13 recipients no graft pancreatic or peripancreatic fluid collection requiring intervention was observed. Of the three recipients who developed graft pancreatitis, two required graft pancreatectomy. In conclusion, Sphincterotomy facilitates pancreatic juice outflow by reducing intraoperative graft edema, which could lead to subsequent inflammation. Further studies on the factors inducing graft pancreatitis are necessary to eliminate this severe complication.

[Personal experience with simultaneous transplantation of pancreas segment and kidney]. / Wlasne doswiadczenia w jednoczesnym przeszczepianiu segmentu trzustki i nerki.

Between February 1988 and December 1994, 25 patients underwent simultaneous kidney and segmental pancreatic transplantation. Diabetes type I with the end-stage renal disease secondary to the diabetic nephropathy was the indication for this procedure. The original method of the four vascular anastomoses was introduced to prevent early pancreatic graft thrombosis. The cross section of the pancreatic segment was anastomosed to Roux--en Y loop in 80% cases and in 20% ductal occlusion with Ethiblock was performed. One-year survival rate for kidney and the pancreas was 81% and 57% and five - years survival rate 57% and 42%, respectively. One - year and five - year survival rate for the patients was 72% and 68%, respectively. The most serious complication leading to the graft removal was intrapancreatic abscess. Sepsis was the main cause of the death among transplant patients.

[The latest results of the advanced hypopharyngeal cancer surgery with immediate reconstruction using the free jejunal autograft]. / Odlegle wyniki operacji zaawansowanego raka gardla dolnego z jednoczasowym odtworzeniem wolnym autoprzeszczepem jelita cienkiego.

In 21 patients with T3, T4 pharyngo-laryngeal cancer circumferential resection with immediate reconstruction using a free revascularized jejunal autograft was performed. In 13 cases the jejunal reconstruction was successful. In patients previously not irradiated the rate of success was 75% and in irradiated ones 37.5%. Five patients survived more than 5 years: one more than 7, two more than 6 and one more than 5. One patient with an unsuccessful jejunal graft and with subsequent skin reconstruction survived more than 6 years. The causes of failure were:-irreversible spasm of the arteries in 2 cases, skinking of the vessels resulting in flap necrosis in flap necrosis in 2 cases, -necrosis due to widespread atherosclerosis of the cervical arteries in 3 cases and of an unknown cause in 1 case. The cause of death was: widespread metastases in 12 cases, C.V.A. in 1 case, road traffic accident in 1 case, complications of the ileus in 1 case and carotid artery haemorrhage in 1 case. One of the successful patients was irradiated postoperatively, because the pathology report stated there was incomplete resection, and survived more than 6 years with no disturbance of swallowing. In general 10 patients died in the first year, 4 in the second, 1 in the third and 1 in the fourth--without any signs of recurrence. The five year survival of 24% in the presented group is relatively high in comparison with the generally accessible data for T3, T4 hypopharyngeal carcinoma treated by any of the usual methods.

Right renal vein extension technique in human kidney transplantation.

A technique for renal vein extension in right kidney transplantation is described. The use of this method allows to avoid some technical difficulties in the transplantation of kidneys with short renal vein and multiple arteries. The short renal vein, even in the presence of multiple arteries, should not by itself be regarded as a barrier to successful cadaveric kidney transplantation. By using all available kidneys for transplantation, regardless of the type of anatomical abnormalities, we were able to raise the number of transplantations in our material by 25%.