[Rupture of the graft in kidney transplant. Our caseload]

316 kidney transplants were carried out in the Ramón y Cajal Hospital between November 1979 and December 1988. The number of breakages was 7. In this paper we analyse the incidence of this complication as well as the etiopathogeny of the process, highlighting the relationship between the appearance of acute rejection, alterations in coagulation, and instrumental manoeuvres carried out on the graft, especially in the first days after transplant. The clinical pattern usually displayed was pain with swelling and pasting in the area of the implant, along with hypotension, oliguria and deterioration of kidney function. We underline the importance of echography as the follow-up method in the early detection of hematomas, perirenal collections, etc., which, together with the preceding clinical data, will orientate us towards an early diagnosis. We study the possible relationship of this complication with different factors, singling out the reduced frequency of appearance after the advent of cyclosporin and its use as an immunosuppressive drug. We advocate the conservation of the implant with three dimensional corsseting, provided this is feasible and the general conditions of the patient so permit.