Renal Transplant in Abnormal Bladder: Treatment Options and Their Effects on Graft Outcome

Correction of structural urologic disorders and optimization of emptying and storage function of the bladder should be achieved before renal transplant in patients with abnormal urinary bladders to protect the new transplanted kidney. The aim of this study was to determine the outcomes of renal transplant among the differently treated abnormal bladder patients.

This was a retrospective study of 30 renal transplant recipients with abnormal bladders who were divided into 2 groups based on abnormal bladder management. Group A included 12 patients who required surgical procedures for their bladder, including 6 with augmentation cystoplasty, 1 with Mitrofanoff procedure, 2 with ileal conduit, 1 with vesicostomy, and 2 who required artificial urinary sphincter. Group B included 18 patients who were treated with oral anticholinergics or beta-3 sympathomimetic drugs, clean intermittent catheterization, suprapubic catheterization, or a combination of these options. Graft function, survival, and complications were compared between both groups.

Mean estimated glomerular filtration rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were higher in group A than in group B but not statistically significant. We also found no significant differences in graft survival between the 2 groups. Among all postoperative complications, only incidence of wound infection was significantly higher in group A than in group B (33% vs 5%; P = .04).

The options of abnormal bladder treatment (either by surgical procedures or other methods of treatment) did not have an impact on graft outcome after renal transplant as long as a safe and suitable bladder was achieved.