[Echo-color Doppler in renal transplantation: the clinician's needs]

Kidney transplantation can lead to a number of complications of a urological and/or vascular nature. Early diagnosis of these complications may determine the survival of the organ. While diagnosis of urological-type complications can be made by means of non-invasive techniques like ultrasound investigation, vascular-type complications often require invasive techniques using contrast medium, such as angiography. Recently, the possibility of using color doppler ultrasound, both intraoperatively and for follow-up, has been suggested, as a means not only of assessing anastomosis and renal perfusion but also of diagnosing any complications of a vascular nature. In the last two years, 51 kidney transplants have been performed at our centre; all patients underwent color doppler ultrasound. We report our experience paying particular attention to vascular complications.