Current opinions in horseshoe kidney transplantation

Currently, horseshoe kidneys are also being considered for transplantation due to the shortage of organs. They can be transplanted en bloc or after division of the renal isthmus. However, because of their low incidence, horseshoe kidneys are rarely transplanted. The considerable variation in vascular anatomy of the horseshoe kidney add to both the frequency of primary non-function and the technical difficulty of the transplantation. In the study reported here, the surgical members of the European Society for Organ Transplantation were asked for their opinions regarding the techniques and results of horseshoe kidney transplantation. Most surgeons advised explanting the horseshoe kidney en bloc. The decision to transplant en bloc or after division of the renal isthmus depended on the morphology of the renal isthmus, the number and position of renal vessels and/or the anatomy of the urinary collecting system. Most surgeons thought that the results of horseshoe kidney transplantation were equal to those of normal kidneys.