Urologic Complication Rates in Kidney Transplantation after a Novel Ureteral Reimplantation Technique

Abstract

Our transplantation team has performed 1615 renal transplantations since 1975. After September 2003, we began a corner-saving technique for urinary tract continuity. In this study, we analyzed these 174 renal transplantations retrospectively. The mean recipient age was 31.6 years (range, 7 to 66). The mean donor age was 39.8 years (range, 6 to 67). For ureteral reimplantation, a running suture is started 3 mm ahead of the middle of the posterior wall and is finished 3 mm afterward. After the last stitch, both ends of the suture material are pulled, and the posterior wall of the ureter and bladder are approximated tightly. The anterior wall is sewn either with the same suture or another running suture. Since using this technique, we have not employed a double-J or any other stent to prevent ureteral complications at the anastomosis site. We have seen only 4 (2.2%) ureteral complications (2 ureteral stenosis and 2 anastomotic leaks) during a follow-up period of 18.9 months. In conclusion, due to the low complication rate, we believe that our new technique is the safest way to perform a ureteroneocystostomy.