Renal transplantation following renal failure due to urological disorders

Renal allograft outcome, during an 8 year period (1985-1992), has been assessed in 56 renal transplants performed in 55 patients who had end-stage renal failure as a consequence of urological abnormalities. The abnormalities were: primary vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) or renal dysplasia (26 patients); posterior urethral valves (PUV) (15); neuropathic bladders (6); vesico-ureteric tuberculosis (5); bladder exstrophy (3); and prune belly syndrome (1). Six patients had augmented bladders, and eight transplants were performed in seven patients with urinary diversions.

Overall, 1 and 5 year actuarial graft survival was 89 and 66%, with mean creatinine of 154 micromol/l +/- 11 (SE) and 145 +/- 9 respectively. Patients with abnormal bladders or conduits (n = 28) had worse graft function than those with normal bladders (n = 28) although graft survival was not significantly different in the two groups at 1 and 5 years: 93 and 75% with normal bladders vs 86 and 57% with abnormal systems. Symptomatic urinary tract infections were common in the first 3 months after transplantation (63%); fever and systemic symptoms occurred in 39% with normal bladders and 59% with abnormal bladders. Urinary tract infection directly contributed to graft loss in six patients with abnormal bladders, but had no consequences in those with normal bladders.

Abnormal bladders must be assessed urodynamically before transplantation, and after transplantation adequacy of urinary drainage must be re-assessed frequently. Prophylactic antibiotics are now given for the first 6 months and urinary tract infections must be treated promptly. With these measures, good results, similar to those of patients without urological problems, can be obtained.