Sleeve Gastrectomy after Renal Transplantation.

BACKGROUND

Obesity induces or accelerates diabetes (DBT), hypertension (HT), and dyslipidemia (DSL), which are the main causes of renal failure. Obesity exacerbates in patients after renal transplantation (RT), and it has been associated with increased mortality rate, postoperative complications, and graft loss. We hypothesize that bariatric surgery might have a positive effect on obese patients with history of previous RT.

METHODS

This was a retrospective review from prospectively collected data. Patients with sleeve gastrectomy (SG) with history of RT were studied. Demographics, anthropometric data, effect on comorbidities, postoperative course, immunosuppressive treatment, reason for transplantation, kidney function, graft survival, and quality of life associated with SG in obese patients with previous RT were assessed using a survey.

RESULTS

From January 1, 2012 to January 1, 2016, five kidney transplant patients were operated on; 80% were female, with an average preoperative BMI of 42.18 ± 8.5 kg/m (range 37-54). Related comorbidities: 100% of the patients had HT and DSL, whereas 40% had DBT and gout. The average time gap between RT and SG was 15 ± 8.4 years (range 3-22). Average operative time was 65 ± 12 min (range 60-85), and there were neither complications nor mortality. At 16.8 ± 14.5 months (range 5-46) of follow-up, BMI was 29.8 ± 7.3 kg/m (range 26-44). All patients with HT and DSL were able to decrease their medication, showing improvement in blood pressure levels and laboratory test values. Regarding DBT, insulin was discontinued in one case, limiting the treatment to the use of oral hypoglycemic agents only. In another case, insulin dosage was significantly reduced. Graft function and proteinuria level improved in 80% of patients. All patients experienced a significant improvement in their quality of life.

CONCLUSION

In this specific group of high-risk patients, SG showed encouraging results in terms of weight loss and resolution/improvement of comorbidities, renal function, and quality of life.