Orthotopic Renal Transplantation: Indication, Technique and Outcomes

Nowadays many ESRD patients awaiting kidney transplantation have known unsuitable iliac vessels for vascular anastomosis, due to severe atheromatosis, occupied iliac fossa, or other uncommon vascular abnormalities. In these cases, orthotopic kidney transplantation (OKT) could be the solution.

Since the update on OKT published in 2010, no more large series have been reported. Some small series or case reports being described in the literature. The orthotopic position has shown good recipient and graft results with acceptable complication rate in selected patients. This technique permits the possibility of kidney transplantation, in patients unfit for heterotopic kidney transplantation (HKT), and consequently the avoidance of the dialysis treatment. In this paper, we review what is new in the literature, analyzing indications, technique, and results of this surgical approach.