Risk factors for renal allograft compartment syndrome

Renal allograft compartment syndrome (RACS) is graft dysfunction secondary to intracompartment hypertension. The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for RACS. We reviewed 7 cases of established RACS and all intra-abdominal placements of the kidney in order to include potential RACS. We also studied early graft losses in order to rule out a missed RACS. We compared the allograft length and width, recipient height, weight, body mass index, aberrant vessels, site of incision, and side of kidney with the remainder of the cohort as potential predictors of RACS. Among 538 transplants, 40 met the criteria for actual RACS or potential RACS. We uncovered 7 cases of RACS. Only kidney length and width were statistically significant (P = 0.041 and 0.004, respectively). The width was associated with a higher odds ratio than was length (2.315 versus 1.61). Increased allograft length and width should be considered as a potential risk for RACS.