[Conservative surgery of spontaneous rupture of renal grafts]

17 cases of spontaneous rupture of renal allografts were noted after 285 renal transplantations performed during the years 1967-1978. All ruptures occurred within the first two weeks after transplantation. Acute rejection, combined with hypertension, dialysis and/or anticoagulation seem to be the main etiological factors of graft rupture. Due to severe hemorrhage surgical exploration had to be performed in 15 patients. While removal of the graft was necessary in 4 patients the kidney could be preserved by tamponade and suture in 11 patients. 5 patients later lost their graft, due to chronic rejection, while 8 patients (6 of the 15 patients who needed surgical exploration) currently have satisfactory graft function.