[Colonic perforation in patients with kidney transplant]

Of a total of 320 renal transplants performed at our center in the last 8 years, two patients presented colonic perforation (0.62%). We emphasize the clinical manifestations, which were masked by the antiinflammatory properties of the steroids; for this reason, careful and repeated physical exams should be made out in the case of any episode of abdominal pain in these patients, as well as ancillary studies for early diagnosis. Surgical measures, which consist of exclusion of the septic focus in the peritoneal cavity, do not differ from those carried out in the general population with the same colonic pathology, although they require more cautious maneuvers and meticulous lavage of the peritoneal cavity. Alternatively, when exclusion is not possible, proximal colostomy and adequate drainage must be performed.