Kidney Rejection Following Simultaneous Liver-kidney Transplantation.

Background: Donor-specific antibodies are reported to increase the risk of rejection and reduce allograft survival following simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation. Optimal immunosuppression regimens to reduce this risk and to treat rejection episodes are underinvestigated.

Methods: Cohort analysis of the first 27 simultaneous liver-kidney transplant recipients, between 2014 and 2018 at our unit, is performed under a new risk stratification policy.

An institutional experience of pre-emptive liver transplantation for pediatric primary hyperoxaluria type 1.

Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) is an inherited metabolic disease that culminates in ESRF. Pre-emptive liver transplantation (pLTx) treats the metabolic defect and avoids the need for kidney transplantation (KTx). An institutional experience of pediatric PH1 LTx is reported and compared to the literature.

Do we need a different organ allocation system for kidney transplants using donors after circulatory death?

Background: There is no national policy for allocation of kidneys from Donation after circulatory death (DCD) donors in the UK. Allocation is geographical and based on individual/regional centre policies. We have evaluated the short term outcomes of paired kidneys from DCD donors subject to this allocation policy.

Clinically significant peripancreatic fluid collections after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation.

Background: Peripancreatic fluid collections (PPFC) are a serious complication after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPKTx).

Methods: Retrospective study for all 223 SPKTx performed from December 8, 1996, to October 10, 2011, to evaluate the risk factors (RF) and impact of PPFCs on outcomes was conducted.

Results: Clinically significant PPFCs were seen in 36 (16%) cases, all within 3 months after transplantation.

Incidental renal stones in potential live kidney donors: prevalence, assessment and donation, including role of ex vivo ureteroscopy.

Unlabelled: WHAT'S KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT? AND WHAT DOES THE STUDY ADD?: Previously, donors with asymptomatic stones found incidentally on CT were not considered ideal donor candidates because of the presumed risk of morbidity to both the donor and recipient. Increasingly, studies show that these risks are low. This study aims to evaluate the long-term safety of using ex vivo ureteroscopy to remove the stones from the donor kidney on the bench before donation.

Outcome of surgical complications following simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation.

Background: Simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplantation carries a higher risk of surgical complications than kidney transplantation alone. We aimed to establish the incidence of surgical complications after SPK transplantation and determine the effect on graft and patient survival.

Methods: Outcomes of all SPK transplants performed at our centre were compared between patients who experienced a surgical complication (SC group) and those who did not (NSC group).

Challenges facing renal transplantation in pediatric patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction.

In pediatric patients with end-stage renal disease, renal transplantation is the established therapy of choice. The commonest cause is a congenital abnormality of the kidneys and urinary tract, often associated with lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD). Historically, such patients were denied transplantation, but it is now widely accepted that transplant outcomes comparable with the non-LUTD population are achievable.

A fatal case of cerebral oedema with hyponatraemia and massive polyuria after renal transplantation.

We report the case of a child who died from severe cerebral oedema in the context of hyponatraemia and extreme polyuria immediately after renal transplantation. The patient was treated according to a standard post-transplantation protocol, receiving 0.45% saline solution for urine output replacement.

Living-unrelated donor renal transplantation: an alternative to living-related donor transplantation?

Introduction: An increasing number of living-unrelated, kidney donor transplants are being performed in our unit. We present a comparison of living-unrelated (LURD) and living-related donor (LRD) renal transplant outcomes and analyse influencing factors.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively analysed the outcome of all living-donor renal transplants performed at our centre from 1993 to 2004.

Renal transplantation or bladder augmentation first? A comparison of complications and outcomes in children.

Objective: To identify whether the order of performing transplant and bladder reconstruction operations in children who need both operations affects outcome of either operation.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective case note review was performed of children identified from our database, who had undergone both renal transplantation and bladder augmentation between 1990 and 2005.

Results: In all, 18 renal transplants (eight live-related) were performed in 16 children with 10 transplants done after bladder augmentation and eight transplants done before augmentation.

Magnetic resonance renal angiography and venography: an analysis of 111 consecutive scans before donor nephrectomy.

Objective: To determine the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) renal angiography in predicting vascular anatomy before donor nephrectomy, to determine the significance of missed vessels and to ascertain whether vessels are missed because of technical limitations or errors in interpretation.

Patients And Methods: In all, 111 consecutive living donations were assessed; the anatomy on MRI before donation was compared with that at nephrectomy. The significance of additional arteries and veins was recorded at the time of donation, with extra vessels either anastomosed or sacrificed.

Multimodal management of urolithiasis in renal transplantation.

Objective: To report the largest single series of renal transplant patients (adults and children) with urolithiasis, assess the risk factors associated with urolithiasis in renal transplant recipients, and report the outcome of the multimodal management by endourological and open procedures.

Patients And Methods: The records of all patients undergoing renal transplantation between 1977 and 2003 were reviewed. In all, 2085 patients had a renal transplant at our centre and 21 (17 adults and four children) developed urinary tract calculi.

A report on the activity and clinical outcomes of renal non-heart beating donor transplantation in the United Kingdom.

The use of kidneys from non-heart beating donors (NHBDs) presents a paradox; whilst they provide more organs for transplantation, there is an increased risk of poor graft outcome, particularly in the short term. This study has highlighted the difference in early graft function and late graft survival between NHBD kidneys with short (controlled) and long (uncontrolled) warm ischaemic times. Whilst it would seem that it is preferable to use controlled donors only, their numbers are small.

The effect of heparin on graft thrombosis in pediatric renal allografts.

Graft thrombosis is an important cause of early (<4 weeks) renal graft loss. Reports show that heparin reduces the incidence of early renal allograft thrombosis. Routine peri-operative administration of unfractionated heparin was introduced in our unit in 1994.

Renal transplantation from non-heart- beating donors: a review of the European experience.

Shortage of organs for transplantation has prompted a few centers in Europe to retrieve kidneys from non-heart-beating donors (NHBD). Indeed, it has been suggested that NHBDs could bridge the gap between supply and demand in renal transplantation. However, NHB donation still has only limited diffusion.

Improved efficacy of basiliximab over antilymphocyte globulin induction therapy in paediatric renal transplantation.

Background: Basiliximab is a chimeric human/mouse monoclonal antibody directed against the alpha chain of the IL-2 receptor, CD25, which has been reported as successfully reducing rejection in adult renal transplant recipients. Reported clinical experience of basiliximab in paediatric renal transplantation is limited.

Methods: Using two intravenous doses on day 0 (pre-operatively) and day 4 with prednisolone and cyclosporin A (dual) maintenance immunosuppression in 42 children undergoing renal transplantation in our unit (SIM group), we have compared patient and graft outcome, rejection rates in the first 6 months, renal function and the incidence of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection with 42 consecutive children who previously received antilymphocyte globulin immunoprophylaxis with prednisolone, cyclosporin A and azathioprine (triple) maintenance immunosuppression (ALG group).