Protocol description and initial experience in kidney graft perfusion using infrared thermography

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Transplant Surgery
• Nephrology

Background:

• Assessing renal graft perfusion is crucial for transplant success.
• Current methods may lack real-time, non-invasive capabilities.
• Thermographic technology presents a novel approach for perfusion monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a protocol for renal perfusion study using thermography.
• To detail the thermographic and clinical behavior of transplanted kidneys.
• To evaluate kidney grafts before and after reperfusion.

Main Methods:

• Infrared thermography of renal grafts before reperfusion, 10 minutes after, and before wound closure.
• Evaluation of thermographic data alongside graft type, donor, ischemia time, and vascular flow.
• Correlation with graft function onset and serum creatinine levels.

Main Results:

• 17 renal grafts were analyzed.
• Mean graft temperatures were recorded at different surgical stages.
• Hypoperfused areas, identified by lower temperatures, were observed in 4 grafts.

Conclusions:

• Thermography provides objective, real-time, non-invasive information on organ perfusion.
• The described protocol and initial results support thermography's utility in transplantation.
• Further research is needed to establish the role of thermography in clinical practice.