Results of cadaver kidney transplantation with right renal vein extension.

INTRODUCTION

Several methods to lengthen the renal vein of the allografts have been proposed in order to secure the surgeon's field of vision and to allow appropriate positioning of the graft. However, its safety and complications have not been clarified. Furthermore, its long- and short-term results have not been investigated. Therefore, we studied the results of this operative procedure to confirm the safety of the technique.

METHODS

The right renal vein extension was utilized when the donated right kidney from a cadaver donor had sufficient length of the inferior vena cava wall. The results of 10 patients who received kidney transplantation with renal vein extension were examined.

RESULTS

None of the patients had vascular complications. The transplanted kidney functioned in all patients; 3- and 5-year graft survival was 100 and 75.0%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The results confirmed that this technique was safe and without complications and did not affect the long- and short- term results of patients who received cadaver kidneys. Therefore, we conclude that it is appropriate to adapt this technique when the physician judges the long renal vein suitable for the procedure.