Transplantation Technologies & Research

Preventable Urological Complications Post Kidney Transplant with Modified Lich-Gregoir Technique for Ureteroneocystostomy

Abstract

Bulang He, Zi Qin Ng, Lingjun Mo, Luc Delriviere and Jeffrey Hamdorf

Aim: Various ureteroneocystostomy techniques for kidney transplant have been described with Lich-Gregoir (LG) being widely employed. However, even with multiple modifications on this technique, urine leakage and ureteric stenosis remain as most common complications. This study aims to evaluate urological complications by using our modified LG technique after kidney transplant.

Method: From 26th January 2010 to 30th May 2014, 206 consecutive kidney transplants were performed at our institute. 124 were deceased-donor and 69 were live-donor kidney transplants; 13 patients received a small tumour excised kidney graft. All transplants except one were done by conventional open surgery. The modification involves an additional stitch placed at proximal part of bladder muscular incision with peri ureteric tissue at the entrance of ureter to bladder. Urological complications were defined as urine leakage or ureteral stricture. The patients were followed-up from 12 to 64 months.

Results: There was no urine leakage in this cohort. One case of ipsilateral dual-kidney transplant developed distal ureteral stricture secondary to a lymphocele that was treated by laparoscopic fenestration. Subsequently, surgical reconstruction of urinary tract was required and success. Seven cases had mild to moderate hydronephrosis identified on CDU; 4 were due to a lymphocele; 3 were secondary to urinary tract stones. Four patients had renal pelvis prominence on CDU, which was spontaneously resolved with satisfactory renal function.

Conclusion: From this study, it is demonstrated that urine leakage can be prevented and ureteric stricture may be minimised by using this modified LG technique. The ureter was always shortened in an adequate length and a ureteric stent was inserted. This modification is simple and reproducible by placing additional two stitches, which secure the potential gap at the entrance of ureter to the bladder.