Risk Factors, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Lymphocele After Renal Transplantation: A Retrospective Study.

Introduction: Despite recent advances, lymphoceles are the most frequent complications following renal transplantation (RT), with an incidence of 0.6% to 51%. In this study, we present risk factors, treatments, and outcomes for lymphoceles after RT at our center.

Material And Methods: Since January 2018, 461 RTs were performed at our center. Nine recipients were excluded. The remaining 452 RTs were analyzed retrospectively. Recipients were divided into 2 groups: a lymphocele group (n = 29) and a nonlymphocele group (n = 423). Lymphoceles were diagnosed by ultrasound. Statistical analyses were made using the SPSS 15 software program.

Results: Twenty-nine (6.4%) of the 452 recipients developed lymphoceles. Seven of these 29 (24.1%) recipients were asymptomatic. The most common symptom was hydronephrosis (34.4%). Percutaneous drainage was performed in 21 recipients; sclerotherapy with percutaneous drainage was used in the remaining 8. In 5 (17.2%) recipients, there was a recurrence of lymphoceles. There were significant differences with respect to age (50-65 years; P = .016), use of a drainage catheter (P = .044), and polycystic kidney diseases (P = .049).

Conclusion: Lymphoceles can be treated successfully using the percutaneous drainage technique alone or in combination with povidone iodine. Drainage use, polycystic kidney disease, and age (50-65 years) were established as risk factors for lymphocele development.