Colon Perforation in Renal Transplant Patients

Abstract

Six patients with spontaneous colonic perforation after cadaveric kidney transplantation are described. Five perforations occurred in a diverticulum of the sigmoid colon, while one was at the suture line after a colotomy performed 5 mo. previously; 4 patients died. Clinical diagnosis was difficult, but on X-ray examination free air in the abdominal cavity was found in 3 patients. Explorative laparotomy should be performed promptly when the diagnosis is suspected. All patients above the age of 40 should be screened with a Ba enema prior to transplantation.