Study of factors that affect complications after renal transplantation

There are no multifactorial studies of complications after renal transplant in the Hispanic population. The objective of this study was to identify which factors are associated with the development of complications after renal transplantation. This retrospective study was performed on all patients transplanted in the Puerto Rico Transplant Program during 2002. Independent variables included preoperative albumin, white blood cell (WBC) count, hemoglobin, creatinine, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), type of dialysis, time on dialysis, and urine production after transplant. Dependent parameters included posttransplant diuresis, wound infection, wound dehiscence, lymphoceles, acute tubular necrosis, length of stay, postoperative weight, graft survival, and patient survival. Data were analyzed with parametric and nonparametric techniques using STAT 200 software. Sixty-four patients were included in the study: 37 male, 27 female. No significant differences in complication rate or length of stay were found with age, preoperative albumin, WBC count, hemoglobin, creatinine, weight, height, dialysis modality, and donor type. Significant factors included type of dialysis, time on dialysis, and BMI. Preoperative albumin if > 3 was not a prognostic indicator for the development of surgical complications following renal transplantation. Only preoperative weight, BMI, and dialysis duration were significant factors in the development of postoperative complications and prolonged hospital stay in this sample Hispanic transplant population. These data are important in formulating selection, education, and transplant management policy.