Therapeutic Lymphangiography for Persistent Lymphatic Leak After Kidney Transplant: A Novel Technique

Lymphatic leakage is a common and well-described complication after kidney transplantation, occurring in up to 25% of patients. Accumulation of lymph is due to the surgical disruption of recipient lymphatic channels accompanying the external iliac vessels, complicated by lower extremity edema, wound breakdown, infection, and, if unresolved, graft loss due to extrinsic compression. In this report, we describe the novel use of diagnostic and therapeutic lymphangiography to successfully treat lymphatic leak after renal transplant that was resistant to drain placement, sclerotherapy, and laparoscopic peritoneal window creation. We also describe the methodology, indications, and contraindications and conclude that this technique is well-tolerated and offers a good option for complex lymph leaks that do not respond to conventional treatment. Further studies are required to compare its efficacy with other standard methods, including sclerotherapy and laparoscopic peritoneal fenestration, as the primary treatment modality.