Outcomes and Surgical Complications in Kidney Transplantation

BACKGROUND Kidney transplantation is the most cost-effective therapy for end-stage renal disease. Post-operative complications account for 15%-17% of all cases and are associated with significant morbidity. Currently 4.8% of post-transplantation patients have returned to dialysis. Our center's main transplant origin is cadaveric donation. OBJECTIVE To review surgical complications of kidney transplantation over the past 5 years. METHODS This was an observational descriptive study that included all patients from 2011 to 2015. RESULTS A total of 55 cases were reviewed. Diabetic nephropathy was the etiology in 30.9% of cases. Post-surgical complications occurred in 12.7% of patients with a post-operative mortality of 4%. Graft survival at 1 year was 82.4% with a 91% 1-year patient survival. CONCLUSION Early identification and treatment of surgical complications are critical for patient and graft survival. Complications are low but significant.