Search

Background: Abnormal circadian blood pressure (BP) rhythm (nondipping) and autonomic dysfunction are both common in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). It is not known whether these abnormalities are related or if they are associated with greater left ventricular hypertrophy., Methods: Nineteen renal transplantation (RT) recipients, aged 22-67 years, who were transplanted at least 12 months (1-29 years) previously, were studied with 24-hr ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). Autonomic function was tested by automated analysis of heart rate variations and echocardiography was used to estimate left ventricular mass index (LVMI)., Results: Thirteen patients (68%) were nondippers. Although seven (37%) patients had significant parasympathetic dysfunction, this was not related to dipper status. Neither abnormality showed a tendency to diminish with time after RT. Systolic hypertension, diagnosed by ABPM, occurred in 5% of patients during the awake period and in 52% during sleep, whereas diastolic hypertension occurred in 47% when awake and in 63% when asleep. Awake systolic BP was the strongest predictor of LVMI (r=0.7, P<0.001), and was considerably better than systolic BPs recorded at the clinic (r=0.48, P<0.05)., Conclusions: Nondipping is common after RT but is not related to the degree of autonomic dysfunction. These findings suggest that autonomic dysfunction is not a major contributor to nondipping in ESRD. In RT patients, ABPM is a more sensitive measure of hypertension and a stronger predictor of LVMI than clinic BP.

A total of 18 patients underwent an operation for extensive ureteral loss from 1980 to 1986. The indications included recurrent calculi, retroperitoneal fibrosis, surgical trauma and tumor. Of the patients 10 had construction of an ileal ureter (4 had bilateral reconstruction), 6 had creation of a psoas hitch with a Boari bladder tube and 2 were treated by autotransplantation. Mean duration of followup was 4.8 years. The procedure was successful in 17 patients. There were no apparent differences among the groups. Selection criteria and potential complications are discussed with regard to each technique. These procedures provide an excellent means for reconstruction of the urinary tract in patients who have failed other treatments.

The use of temporary diverting nephrostomy drainage in the management of immunosuppressed renal transplant patients with supravesical urinary extravasation, fistulas or ureteral obstruction is reviewed. In a literature survey covering an 11-year interval and 4,307 transplants there were 204 cases (4.7 per cent) of ureteral extravasation or fistula and 113 cases (2.6 per cent) of ureteral obstruction. Attempts at urologic repair in these 317 cases resulted in 30.9 per cent failure rate (98 cases), of which 86.7 per cent (85 cases) occurred in patients without nephrostomy compared to 13.3 per cent (13 cases) in patients with nephrostomy. In our 255 consecutive renal transplant patients there were 7 (2.7 per cent) with ureteral extravasation or fistula and 14 (5.5 per cent) with ureteral obstruction. Temporary nephrostomy was done in all 21 patients to protect the urologic repair and, when necessary, to control sepsis and allow for patient stabilization before delayed urinary tract reconstruction. In our series there was no mortality and only 1 renal unit (4.7 per cent) was lost as a consequence of urologic complications. The use of nephrostomy in transplant patients with ureteral extravasation, fistulas or ureteral obstruction is encouraged strongly to optimize patient and renal unit survival.

We report a case of successful renal autotransplantation for the treatment of ureteral obstruction owing to retroperitoneal desmoid tumors in Gardner's syndrome. Our patient has survived 2 years postoperatively and represents to our knowledge the only long-term success recorded.

From July 1972 to March 1975, 431 cadaver kidneys were harvested and preserved by continuous pulsatile perfusion with cryoprecipitated human plasma. Forty-eight per cent of the transplanted kidneys were considered to have immediate function, another 48 per cent demonstrated acute tubular necrosis, and 4 per cent were classified as nonfunctioning. There was no difference in the incidence of acute tubular necrosis in relation to the total preservation time. There was a significant difference in the survival of primary cadaver grafts at six months and one year between the kidneys that demonstrated immediate function and those with acute tubular necrosis.

In selected cases of recurrent renal calculi, surgery to facilitate the passage of stones from the kidney is required. Surgical techniques designed to fulfill these requirements have included the creation of substitute wide-bore ureter from bowel (ileal interposition) or from the urinary bladder (Boari-Ockerblad bladder flap), the latter usually requiring renal autotransplantation to the ipsilateral or contralateral pelvis. The clinical circumstances in which such surgical procedures are warranted are discussed, as are details of operative technique.

Renal autotransplantation as an alternative to ileal interposition has been done successfully in patients with repetitive episodes of renal colic. Urinary tract continuity has been re-established by anastomosis of a Boari tube directly to the renal pelvis. This has resulted in easy egress of recurrent calculi without pain. Furthermore, the musculature of the Boari tube seems to be adequate for prevention of vesicorenal reflux. The procedure has been devoid of electrolyte and mucous urinary retention problems associated with ileal interposition and it is advocated as an alternative in the management of such patients when medical therapy fails.

Six lymphoceles developed in 93 renal transplant recipients. Four were drained externally and two were drained internally. All patients with external drainage of lymphoceles experienced prolonged wound drainage with eventual contamination of the wound with pathogenic organisms. A technique of internal lymphocele drainage and its advantages was discussed.

This study is a retrospective analysis of microscopic and gross hematuria in 127 male renal transplant recipients. The incidence of hematuria was 12%. The causes of hematuria were similar to those in the general population with inflammatory conditions predominating. Urologic malignancy was not found. Hematuria heralded rejection episodes in three instances. Complete evaluation of hematuria revealed pathology of the urinary tract in every instance.

Renal autotransplantation as an alternative to ileal interposition has been done successfully in patients with repetitive episodes of renal colic. Urinary tract continuity has been re-established by anastomosis of a Boari tube directly to the renal pelvis. This has resulted in easy egress of recurrent calculi without pain. Furthermore, the musculature of the Boari tube seems to be adequate for prevention of vesicorenal reflux. The procedure has been devoid of electrolyte and mucous urinary retention problems associated with ileal interpositionand it is advocated as an alternative in the management of such patients when medical therapy fails.