Analysis of vascular complications requiring surgical intervention after kidney transplantation

Objective: Vascular complications seen after kidney transplantation may unfavorably effect patient and graft prognosis. The aim of the study was to analyze the severe vascular complications requiring surgical intervention after renal transplantation. Method: The data of 462 patients who were reoperated following kidney transplantations from living and deceased donors because of development vascular complications were retrospectively analyzed. Only 13 patients requiring surgical interventions because of grade 3b and 4 vascular complications in early post-transplant period were included in this study. Results: Because of fifteen vascular complications; 13 (2.8%) kidney recipients underwent re-operation. Median occurrence time of vascular complications was 12±19 days (min: 1 day, max: 72 days). The most common causes of vascular complication were hematoma followed by renal vein thrombosis, dehiscence of arterial anastomosis , arterial kinking, infected hematoma and renal artery thrombosis. Graft nephrectomy was performed in 5 (38.5%) patients due to uncontrolled vascular complications. One year patient and graft survival rates were 90.9% and 61.5% in patients who underwent re-operations due to vascular complications, respectively. Two year patient and graft survival rates were 90.9% and 46.2%, respectively. Conclusion: The rates of vascular complications after kidney transplantation demonstrate the safety and feasibility of the kidney transplantation. The graft survival rates in patients requiring re-operation owing to severe vascular complications are at acceptable levels.