Gastrointestinal surgical complications after kidney transplantation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Clinical spectrum of gastrointestinal (GI) complication in renal transplant recipients ranges from nonspecific signs of abdominal discomfort to life-threatening surgical emergencies. The manifestation of such complications is modified by antirejection therapy with resulting risk of diagnostic and therapeutic error. The present study analyses the incidence of serious GI complications after renal transplantation and their treatment. METHODS: Retrospective analysis in a university transplant center in years 1988-2000. There was 239 renal transplants performed in 234 patients (age 42 +/- 14). Male to female ratio was 140.99. Polycystic kidney disease patients comprised 9% (n = 22). RESULTS: Five serious GI complications resulting in death were recorded (2x upper GI bleed, 1x acute pancreatitis, 1x bowel obstruction in sclerotizing peritonitis, 1x diffuse purulent peritonitis of unknown origin). There was no case of diverticulitis. The average time onset of lethal GI complication was 2.8 +/- 1.4 years after renal transplantation. There was no statistically significant relation to underlying diagnosis of renal failure, warm and cold ischemia time, and time elapsed after transplantation. CONCLUSION: GI complications have increased incidence in patients after renal transplantation. The incidence of complications has no relationship to underlying diagnosis of renal failure, warm and cold ischemia time, and time elapsed after transplantation. Patients involved in transplant program should be carefully followed and thoroughly examined with any new GI symptomatology. Further studies are necessary to evaluate potential of pre-transplant screening programs.