Abstract: Panniculectomy in Renal Transplant Candidates: A High Complication Rate Yields a Higher Reward

Background: Renal transplant candidates are frequently declined access to transplantation secondary to obesity and poor functional status. To maintain candidacy on the transplant waiting list, these patients are often required to lose significant weight. Substantial weight loss commonly produces a panniculus, generating a transplant site at high-risk for wound complications, blocking access to this life-extending kidney transplant. To decrease posttransplant wound and graft complications, we implemented a Transplant/Plastic Surgery Program where patients underwent panniculectomy in an effort to regain candidacy on the renal transplant waiting list.