Symptomatic lymphocoeles post renal transplant

The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of various treatment modalities of symptomatic lymphoceles and suggest an optimal management protocol. Case records of 744 renal transplant recipients who underwent surgery between January 2000 and December 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. There were a total of 36 (4.38%) lymphoceles detected in the postoperative period, of which 14 (1.88%) were symptomatic. A total of 32 procedures for the treatment of lymphocele were performed in 14 of these patients. Aspiration or percutaneous catheter drainage was performed as a primary procedure in all cases. Open marsupialization and laparoscopic marsupialization procedures were performed as secondary treatments. Percutaneous nephrostomy was required in one case before definitive treatment. Primary aspiration was successful in (n = 2) 28.5% and percutaneous drainage in (n = 3) 42.8%. Sclerotherapy was definitive in (n = 2 of 3) 66.6%. Seven of 14 patients required secondary procedure. Laparoscopic marsupialization was successful in (n = 4 of 5) 80% and open technique (n = 3) was curative in all cases. In our opinion, the first step in the management of symptomatic lymphocele in post-renal transplant recipients should be percutaneous drainage with or without drug instillation. This can stabilize renal function and optimize patients who may require surgery. Surgical marsupialization offers superior definitive treatment of lymphoceles with the least recurrence rates.