[Colonic complications after renal transplantation (author's transl)]

From December 1964 to June 1980, 569 kidney allotransplants were performed in 524 patients at the University Hospital in Zurich. Necrokidneys were used exclusively. Twelve of these patients exhibited severe colonic complications: four perforations (1 perforated diverticulitis of the sigmoid, 1 perforation of the cecum during cytomegalovirus infection, 2 cases of ischemic colitis), 5 cases of ischemic colitis without perforation, and 3 patients with erosive colitis. In 9 of the 12 patients, hypotonic episodes were noted 4-17 days previously. The 2% complication rate in our patients is comparable with the mean rate of complications mentioned in the literature (2.4%). The lethality of 75% also corresponds with the results of other authors. The most important pathogenetic factor for colonic complications is ischemia; prevention of hypotonic episodes after renal transplantation is therefore mandatory.