[Surgical wound infection in renal transplant recipients]

Between 1980 and 1991, 504 transplantations were performed in our hospital. All patients received pre-surgical therapy with antibiotics. The total incidence of surgical wound infection was 15 cases (3%). After reviewing all parameters that could have been involved in the development of these infections, it become apparent that diabetes mellitus, more than one transplant in the same patient, development of haematoma in the wound and presence of urinary fistulae were statistically significant (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the use of the different immunosuppressive regimes (azathioprin and cyclosporin) and acute tubular necrosis showed no statistical significance (p > 0.05); also, no relationship was found between infection and acute graft rejection.