Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 25, 2025
Digital Home-Monitoring of Patients after Kidney Transplantation: The MACCS Platform
Published on: April 12, 2021
Gastroenterological complications in kidney transplant patients
Armando Calogero1, Monica Gallo2, Antonello Sica3
1Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
Abstract:
Kidney transplantation is the surgical operation by which one of the two original kidneys is replaced with another healthy one donated by a compatible individual. In most cases, donors are recently deceased. There is the possibility of withdrawing a kidney from a consenting living subject. Usually, living donors are direct family members, but they could be volunteers completely unrelated to the recipient. A much-feared complication in case of kidney transplantation is the appearance of infections. These tend to arise due to immune-suppressor drugs administered as anti-rejection therapy. In this review, we describe the gastrointestinal complications that can occur in subjects undergoing renal transplantation associated with secondary pathogenic microorganisms or due to mechanical injury during surgery or to metabolic or organic toxicity correlated to anti-rejection therapy. Some of these complications may compromise the quality of life or pose a significant risk of mortality; fortunately, many of them can be prevented and treated without the stopping the immunosuppression, thus avoiding the patient being exposed to the risk of rejection episodes.
Insights
Kidney transplantation can lead to gastrointestinal issues from infections or drug toxicity. Many complications are preventable and treatable without stopping immunosuppression, safeguarding transplant success.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Transplantation Surgery
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Kidney transplantation replaces diseased kidneys with healthy ones.
- Immunosuppressive drugs are crucial to prevent organ rejection but can increase infection risk.
- Gastrointestinal complications are a significant concern post-renal transplant.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review gastrointestinal complications following kidney transplantation.
- To identify causes including infections, surgical injury, and drug toxicity.
- To discuss prevention and management strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on kidney transplant recipients.
- Analysis of gastrointestinal complications associated with immunosuppression.
- Examination of pathogenic microorganisms and iatrogenic factors.
Main Results:
- Gastrointestinal complications can stem from infections, surgical trauma, or drug toxicity.
- These complications can severely impact patient quality of life and survival.
- Effective management is possible without compromising immunosuppression.
Conclusions:
- Proactive monitoring and management of GI complications are vital in kidney transplant patients.
- Timely interventions can prevent severe outcomes and transplant rejection.
- Optimizing immunosuppressive therapy while managing GI issues is key to long-term success.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Kidney Transplant II: Surgical Procedure
01:16Kidney Transplant III: Nursing Management
01:28Kidney Transplant I: Introduction
01:30Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention
01:25Peritoneal Dialysis II: Peritoneal Dialysis Systems and Complications
01:24Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations