Climbing harness fit in kidney transplant recipients

The superficial location of renal transplants places them at risk for traumatic damage. Significant injuries have been reported from automobile seat belts, for example. This study was designed to assess the potential for direct transplant injury from the use of climbing harnesses.

Ten patients with kidney transplants were fitted with a variety of climbing harnesses after the locations of their grafts were defined.

With the exception of two harnesses in a single patient, all devices came into contact with all transplants.

Sports requiring the use of climbing harnesses (eg, rock climbing, rappelling, and challenge course participation) may be unsafe for recipients of kidney transplants.