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Donor horseshoe kidneys for transplantation
H P Tan1, M D Samaniego, R A Montgomery
1Department of Surgery and Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Transplantation
|September 26, 2001
Summary
Donor horseshoe kidneys can be successfully transplanted. Careful surgical reconstruction and management of associated anomalies lead to good long-term graft survival in renal transplantation.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Transplant Surgery
- Urology
Background:
- Donor horseshoe kidneys are rarely used in transplantation due to potential vascular and renal anomalies.
- Limited data exists on the outcomes of horseshoe kidney transplantation.
Observation:
- This study reviewed five cases of horseshoe kidney transplantation, representing the largest institutional experience.
- A comprehensive literature review of all published horseshoe kidney transplant cases was also conducted.
Findings:
- All five patients achieved successful renal transplantations with a median follow-up of 35 months.
- One graft was lost due to recurrent disease shortly after transplantation.
Implications:
- Horseshoe kidneys can be viable donor organs with appropriate surgical techniques.
- Careful vascular reconstruction, isthmus management, and prevention of ureteral obstruction are crucial for successful outcomes.
- This suggests that horseshoe kidneys may be underutilized and could expand the donor pool.