Horseshoe kidney: the impact of percutaneous surgery.

Six patients with a stone disease and/or ureteropelvic junction obstruction in a horseshoe kidney underwent percutaneous surgery. No major complications were observed and only 1 patient presented residual fragments in the lower calyx 3 months after treatment. The special features of the use of percutaneous nephrolithotomy and endopyelotomy for this anomaly are described.

Pancreas transplantation: long-term results.

The rationale behind pancreatic transplantation is to provide a self-regulated, endogenous source of insulin and other islet hormones, thus restoring normal metabolism with the ultimate goals of prevention, stabilization or reversal of secondary degenerative complications. We report clinical and metabolic data of 8 patients submitted to simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplantation in our institute, who had a pancreatic graft function for 4 (1 case) and 5 (7 cases) years. To assess the impact of transplanted pancreatic mass on long-term function, we also included 10 patients from a comparative study between segmental pancreas transplantation (group A, 5 pts) and whole pancreas with enteric diversion transplantation (group B, 5 pts), who had pancreatic function for 2 and 3 yr. All patients are alive. Seven of these patients are off insulin, while one patient lost pancreatic function during an operation performed to correct an arterial stenosis of the graft. HbAlc levels were normal during the entire follow-up period (5.2+/-0.14% at 4 yr; 5.1+/-0.6% at 5 yr). In 24-hour metabolic profiles we observed near normal blood glucose levels, with good insulin release at 4 yr and a mild hyperglycemia at 5 yr (BG at 9 p.m.: 8.8+/-1.3 mmol/l). OGTT performed in 5 patients, 4 yr after pancreas transplantation, showed an impaired glucose tolerance, while the same test performed at 5 yr, showed higher values (BG 120 minutes: 14.7+/-0.2 mmol/l). Group A and group B patients are all alive, with good renal and pancreatic function.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Long-term results of endourological treatment with and without ESWL in cystine lithiasis]. / Resultados a largo plazo del tratamiento endourológico y/o LEOC en la litiasis de cistina.

From 1984 to 1989, 15 patients with cystine calculi were treated by endourologic procedures and/or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). During this period the patients required 38 hospitalizations, a total of 74 calculi were treated localized to 61 sites: pelvic 21, caliceal 13 and 27 were multiple. The diagnosis was confirmed by a 24 hour cystinuria (3.595 muMol/24 h. average) and analysis of the stone fragments. Stone disruption was achieved in 17 of 38 cases (44.7%). ESWL as monotherapy was utilized in calculi less than 15-20 mm. in diameter; complete removal was achieved in of 18 cases. Percutaneous surgery (PC) was used alone or in combination with ESWL for large calculi or when ESWL failed to achieve stone fragmentation. Complete stones removal was achieved in 5 of 9 cases using PC as monotherapy and in 5 of 10 in combination with ESWL. There were 23 recurrences during this period; 13 patients with residual stone fragments and 10 patients that were stone-free. The present study reports our experience in the treatment of cystine calculi by PC and/or ESWL and the long-term results achieved with the respective treatment modalities.

Technique of pancreas revascularization after combined liver and pancreas harvesting in the same cadaveric donor.

Combined liver and pancreas harvesting in the same donor is nowadays a routine procedure in our institution. In terms of sharing of the vascular pedicule the priority is given in the majority of cases to the liver graft. Thus vascular reconstruction of the pancreatic graft is often required before transplantation. From February 1987 to June 1990 we transplanted 62 pancreases coming from a donor where also a liver graft had been harvested; 46 were segmental grafts prepared by duct injection with neoprene, 14 were pancreatico-duodenal grafts with bladder diversion of the exocrine secretion, and 2 were whole pancreas scheduled for bladder diversion and secondarily reconverted to duct injection (1 whole and 1 segmental graft) for poor duodenal blood supply. Among the 47 segmental grafts (46 + 1 reconverted from whole to segmental), in only 10 cases was the celiac axis with an aortic patch possible; conversely in 37 cases the splenic artery had been divided at its origin during the harvesting; bench surgery for vascular reconstruction was realized in 33 cases. Among the 14 pancreatico-duodenal grafts with bladder diversion and the whole pancreas with duct obstruction, in 5 cases the celiac axis and the superior mesenteric artery were harvested on the same aortic patch; in 10 cases the splenic artery was divided at its origin during the harvesting, requiring bench surgery for reconstruction.

[Pancreas transplantation in 132 insulin-dependent diabetic patients]. / Trasplante de pancreas en 132 pacientes diabéticos insulino-dependientes.

A total of 140 pancreatic transplants have been performed in 132 insulin-dependent diabetic patients at Lyon (France). Most cases received a double pancreatic and renal transplant. The duct obstruction technique was utilized in 113 segmental transplants. A total pancreatic transplant was performed in 27 patients, with duct obstruction in 27, GI tract derivation in 14, urinary tract derivation in 11 and intraductal obstruction in 2 patients. Utilizing quadruple immunosuppression, the one year survival rate was 90% and the transplant survival was 60%.

Endourological management of fibroepithelial polyps.

Two cases of fibroepithelial polyps of the upper urinary tract are reported, the conservative management of this benign tumor is described.

[Percutaneous resection of benign renal cysts]. / Resección percutánea de los quistes renales benignos.

Six patients carrying bulky renal cysts located in the kidney lower pole were treated by percutaneous resection of the cystic wall. No complications were observed during the peri and postoperational period. In all cases disappearance of symptoms was observed, and the total success rate (absence of residual cavity) recorded was 4/6, two cases presenting persistence of a small residual cavity which originated one case of relapse. The paper presents the technique used, and the indications and possible therapeutic actions for the treatment of simple kidney cysts are discussed.

Continent cutaneous Ileostomy (Kock pouch) prior to renal transplantation.

Two patients in end-stage renal failure and with neurogenic bladders due to spina bifida complicated by myelomeningocele were considered for renal transplantation. One patient had had a right nephrectomy and urinary diversion via an ileal conduit; the other, after various external drainage procedures (cystostomy, bilateral nephrostomy), had had a tubular ileocystoplasty. Both underwent 2 surgical procedures prior to renal transplantation: in case 1 we performed a left nephrectomy and then ileal conduit removal + Kock pouch; in case 2 a bilateral nephrectomy was performed via 2 posterior incisions and then we removed the ileocystoplasty and formed the pouch. The continent ileostomy was formed according to the original technique with slight modifications. The patients have been followed up for 12 and 15 months after transplantation.

[Endourologic treatment of tumors and pseudotumors of the upper excretory system]. / Tratamiento endourológico de los tumores y pseudotumores de la vía excretora superior.

Thirteen patients with a benign tumor or pseudotumor of the upper urinary tract underwent endourological treatment on 17 occasions. These patients were divided into two groups according to the anatomopathological findings. Five patients comprised group I. Mean patient age, 57.3 years. These patients had a tumor in the excretory cavity. Endoscopic work up revealed 3 papillary necroses, 1 inflammatory polyp, 1 Von Brun islet. One ureterorenoscopy (biopsy + laser) and four percutaneous (tumor resection) procedures were performed. Eight patients comprised group II. Mean patient age, 59 years. Six patients had pyelocaliceal tumors and two patients had ureteric tumors. Histologic analyses revealed a noninvasive low grade tumor on six occasions and two fibroepithelial polyps. Two ureteric tumors and 1 pelvic tumor were treated by retrograde ureterorenoscopy (2 resections and 1 Nd/Yag laser photocoagulation). Five patients were treated percutaneously (resection alone or combined with Nd/Yag laser). Four patients received local chemotherapy. Patient follow-up ranged from 1 to 3 years. Tumor recurrence was observed in 3 patients treated by percutaneous resection.

Percutaneous treatment of benign renal cysts.

The percutaneous treatment of benign renal cysts has been proposed in alternative to conventional surgery. It minimizes the complication rate and assures good clinical results. In our Department, 15 patients with 16 symptomatic benign renal cysts underwent either percutaneous cyst aspiration + sclerosis (10 cases) or percutaneous resection of the cyst wall (6 cases). In the first group, all patients were relieved from symptoms, and 70% had no residual cavity. Two patients presented a secondary infection of the cyst, treated with systemic antibiotics and percutaneous drainage (1 case). In the second group, we did not observe any complication, all patients were relieved from symptoms, and only 1 cyst recurred, probably due to incomplete resection.

[Renal autotransplantation in the treatment of renovascular hypertension]. / Autotrasplante renal en el tratamiento de la hipertensión renovascular.

Surgery plays an important role in the treatment of renovascular Hypertension (RVHT). 123 RVHT carrier patients were treated by means of 101 single autotransplants (11 double autotransplants) and 34 autotransplants preceded by extracorporeal replacement of the branches of the renal artery (1 bilateral case). Taken all round, the patients improved either totally or partly (93.5%). In lesions involving multiple branches of the renal artery, replacement of these by a hypogastric autologous arterial transplant is regularly the only technique possible to save the kidney.

Segmental duct-obstructed pancreas grafts versus pancreaticoduodenal grafts with enteric diversion.

Between January 1985 and September 1987, we performed a prospective comparative study between segmental-pancreas transplantation with duct obstruction by neoprene (n = 17) and pancreaticoduodenal transplantation with enteric diversion to a Roux-en-Y intestinal loop (n = 14). All recipients had insulin-dependent diabetes. The immunosuppressive protocol consisted of low doses of the steroids cyclosporin A and azathioprine. Mean follow-up was 16.5 mo for the enteric-diversion group and 13.5 mo for duct-obstructed groups. Two-year patient and pancreas- and kidney-graft actuarial survival rates were 92.9, 75.5, and 74.2%, respectively, in the former group and 92.3, 58.4, and 63.7%, respectively, in the latter group (NS). Five whole-organ grafts were lost (3 vascular thromboses, 1 pancreatitis, 1 rejection), and four segmental grafts were lost (2 vascular thromboses, 1 bleeding, 1 patient's death with functional graft). More surgical complications occurred in the recipients of whole-organ grafts and were often related to the intestinal anastomosis. A satisfactory blood glucose control was observed at 3 mo and 1 yr in both groups. Provocative tests showed higher and prompter insulin secretion in patients with whole-organ grafts. In patients with segmental grafts, the response was lower and delayed with a general tendency to impaired glucose tolerance. A marked hyperinsulinemia after meals was observed in whole-organ graft recipients. Slight nocturnal hyperinsulinemia was observed in both groups. At 1 yr, glycosylated hemoglobin was normal in both groups. The absence of a significant difference between the two groups, in terms of survival and graft function, and the lower surgical complication rate seen with segmental grafts have made us return to neoprene-injected segmental grafts.

Impact of immunosuppression on improvement of results in clinical pancreas transplantation.

Since November 1975, 103 pancreas transplantations have been performed in 97 insulin-dependent diabetic patients. Pancreas and kidney were grafted simultaneously in 84 patients (plus 1 double retransplantation). Eighty-nine pancreas grafts were prepared by duct obstruction with neoprene, and 14 were pancreaticoduodenal grafts with enteric diversion in a Roux-en-Y loop. Five immunosuppressive protocols were subsequently used. With the latest protocols, patient and pancreas survival improved to 93 and 72% at 1 yr, respectively. The improvement in graft survival appeared to be particularly related to the reduction of the number of pancreas grafts lost in rejection. The patients treated with the last protocols, including cyclosporin A (CsA) and only low doses of steroids, showed a better glucose tolerance after provocative tests. Pancreas-graft function did not appear to be influenced by CsA treatment.

Kidney-graft survival in simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplantation.

Patient and kidney survival rates were compared between 69 diabetic patients undergoing simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplantation (group 1) and 723 nondiabetic patients undergoing kidney transplantation (group 2). The patients were treated with different immunosuppressive regimens over the years: steroids plus antilymphocyte globulin (ALG) plus azathioprine (Aza); cyclosporin A (CsA) plus ALG; steroids plus ALG plus Aza, replacing Aza 1 mo posttransplantation; or low doses of steroids plus CsA plus Aza. One-year kidney survival rates with the different regimens were 50, 42, 54, and 76%, respectively, in group 1 and 71, 74, 78, and 84%, respectively, in group 2. Patient survival was 60, 57, 71, and 86%, respectively, in group 1 and 93, 95, 94, and 96%, respectively, in group 2. Differences between the two groups were statistically significant for the first three protocols but not for the one used in this study. In group 1, 38 patients (55%) had a functioning kidney graft, whereas 15 (21%) lost their kidney to rejection. Between these two patient categories, there was no significant difference in age, sex, duration of diabetes, time on dialysis, blood transfusion number, HLA immunization, or HLA matching. Thus, since 1984, kidney-graft survival has not been inferior in diabetic patients. This improvement is mainly due to a decreased mortality related to better patient preparation and improvement in immunosuppression.