Arthroplasty risk after kidney or liver transplant

In recent years the rate of kidney or liver transplantation has increased considerably, with an increasing rate of immunosuppressant medication for secondary bone disorders. As the rate of organ transplantation increases, the greater predisposition of these patients to hip or knee arthroplasty is noticed. Although arthroplasty is safe in the general population, its safety in liver transplant recipients is unclear. The purpose of this study is to evaluate safety and durability of hip or knee arthroplasties in liver or kidney transplanted patients. Our study included 5 hip and knee arthroplasties performed in transplanted liver and kidney. All patients underwent immunosuppressive therapy. All cases were submitted to postoperative antibiotic therapy and in the case of cemented implants, antibiotic impregnated cement was used. There were no major short-term or long-term complications. We noticed no case of postoperative sepsis, and implant durability has not been affected by the directly transplant related causes. In conclusion arthroplasty for patients with kidney or liver transplant has a positive impact on their quality of life, being a safe and successful procedure with minimum perioperative safeguards.