Cholecystectomy for Acute Cholecystitis After Renal Transplantation

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Transplant Surgery
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Acute cholecystitis presents diagnostic challenges in renal transplant recipients.
• Surgical intervention via cholecystectomy is sometimes necessary for this patient group.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate surgical complications, patient outcomes, and graft function after cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis in kidney transplant recipients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of transplant patients from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2013.
• Analysis of a subgroup requiring cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis.

Main Results:

• Thirty-one patients underwent cholecystectomy; 32.3% required conversion to open surgery.
• Acalculous cholecystitis was present in 41.9% of cases.
• No significant difference in serum creatinine at 1 year post-surgery; one temporary dialysis, one graft loss.

Conclusions:

• Acute cholecystitis is a serious complication in kidney transplant recipients, often with subtle clinical signs.
• Conservative treatment is rarely an option due to diagnostic difficulties and potential severity.
• Cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis did not negatively affect 1-year kidney graft function.