[Surgical complications after kidney transplantation]

The authors' experience with surgical complications following kidney transplantation is presented. From 1973 till May 1990, 136 transplantations were performed, out of which 21 before and 117 after 1983. Surgical complications occurred in 20 patients, thus reaching the incidence of 14.5% which corresponds with the incidence reported by other institutions. The incidence of vascular complications was 5.0%, of urological 4.3%, of lymphatic 1.4%, of wound infections 2.2%, and of graft ruptures 1.4%. Urological and vascular complications made for 65% of all the surgical complications which in 40% resulted in the loss of the graft. Out of the total number of the lost grafts, surgical complications were responsible in 28.1%.