Urological Complications in 210 Consecutive Simultaneous Pancreas-Kidney Transplants with Bladder Drainage

Abstract

Objective The urological complications of 210 patients who underwent simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplantation over a 7-year period were reviewed. Summary Background Data Worldwide, bladder drainage has become the accepted method of exocrine drainage after pancreas transplantation. With the increasing use of bladder drainage, the surgical post-transplant complications have shifted from intra-abdominal complications to urological complications. Methods Two hundred ten diabetic patients received SPK transplants with bladder drainage. A retrospective review was conducted to analyze the incidence, type, and management of urological complications. Results The most frequent urological complications were hematuria, leak from the duodenal segment, recurrent urinary tract infections, urethritis, and ureteral stricture and disruption. Complications related to the renal transplant included ureteral stricture and leaks, as well as lymphoceles. Conclusions Despite the high incidence of urological complications, 5-year actuarial patient and graft survival are excellent. Only one graft and one patient were lost secondary to urological complications.