[Measurement of the subcapsular pressure of allogeneic kidney transplants: a new method for postoperative transplant monitoring].

The results presented here show the measurement of the subcapsular hydrostatic pressure (SHP) to be a suitable method for the postoperative monitoring of a allogeneic kidney transplants. The SHP of the kidney reflects the interstitial pressure of this organ. Disturbances in the graft of immunological or non-immunological origin induce pressure increases with, for the most part, specific characteristics. An examination of the height and course of the mean subcapsular pressure level enables one to recognise and differentiate disturbances in transplant function at an early stage as well as assess their severity and duration. The results obtained so far show that the measurement of the subcapsular pressure is of particular significance in determining the extent of ischemic tubular damage, in early recognition of acute rejection and i assessing the effectiveness of immunosuppresive treatment for rejection. Repeated pressure measurements with the method described here can be performed with little technical outlay and without any stress for the patient.