Current Review of Renal Autotransplantation in the UK

Advances in preservation and transplantation techniques have made renal autotransplantation (RA) a modality that can be utilized in complex renovascular diseases (renal artery aneurysms), high ureteric injuries, chronic kidney pain, as well as conventionally unresectable renal tumours. In the current review, we present the Oxford experience, the only UK commissioned centre to perform RA for complex renal cell cancers, and review the published RA experience from other UK centres.

The evidence and literature generated from the RA experience in the UK are largely limited to case reports. The main indications reported for performing RAs include renovascular disease, ureteral pathology and prophylaxis from radiation. Renal autotransplantation is an option for a highly select group of patients. It has short-term and long-term complication rates comparable to those of other major operations. Extensive preoperative counselling in conjunction with multidisciplinary professionals is of utmost importance for informed decision making.