Early surgical complications in kidney transplant recipients- A single center study

Abstract

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is becoming a significant global public health issue. The preferred course of treatment for people with ESRD is kidney transplantation, although its associated surgical complications raise serious doubts about the success rate of the procedure. Renal transplant surgical complications are frequently observed and can significantly affect graft performance, survival, and patient morbidity. This study aimed to analyze the frequency of early surgical complications, diagnoses, and treatment options in renal transplant patients. This retrospective cohort study included all transplanted patients with surgical complications from April 2017 to April 2022 at the Renal Transplant Unit of the Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan. Out of 500 kidney transplant recipients, 86 patients (17.2%) experienced early post-transplant surgical complications. The most common complication was Lymphorrea (n=38, 7.6%) followed by wound infection (n=25 patients, 5%). The occurrence of these complications was associated with delayed graft function, indicating the need for careful monitoring and timely intervention in these cases. Future studies are needed to explore the predictors and risk factors of surgical complications in kidney transplantation and to identify strategies for reducing the incidence and improving the outcomes of these complications.