HIGH RESOLUTION ULTRASOUND CHARACTERIZATION OF EARLY ALLOGRAFT HEMODYNAMICS IN PEDIATRIC LIVING RELATED RENAL TRANSPLANTATION

Purpose: Allograft vascular thrombosis occurs in 5% to 10% of pediatric renal transplants. The hemodynamics of renal allograft immediately after implantation is unclear. High resolution Doppler ultrasound of the renal allograft performed in the operating room after incision closure is an effective and objective method to advance our understanding of baseline renal allograft hemodynamics, and identify unsuspected vascular complications early enough to ensure prompt surgical repair.Materials and Methods: Between September 1998 and July 2000 high resolution, color power Doppler ultrasound was prospectively performed on 21 living related renal transplants in the operating room immediately after incision closure. Each ultrasound described allograft anastomotic blood flow, direction of diastolic flow, parenchymal perfusion and resistive indexes.Results: There were 20 (95%) allografts with good power Doppler perfusion that had satisfactory immediate function with no vascular complications at 9 to 26-month follow...