Multiple renal artery reconstruction in high-volume living donor kidney transplant centre

Abstract

Kidney transplantation (KT) is the most effective treatment for end-stage renal disease; however, certain challenges (e.g. multiple renal arteries) may lower outcomes. We aimed to describe a single-centre experience with reconstruction techniques and outcomes. This retrospective study included 82 patients who underwent KT with multiple renal arteries out of a total of 762 cases between April 2018 and August 2022, with demographic data and renal vessel characteristics collected. The main outcomes were operation time, graft function, complications, and graft survival, and these were compared with a single-artery control group. Most patients had two arteries (82.9%). There were significant differences in warm ischemic time, reconstruction time for arterial anastomosis, and overall operation time compared with the control group (p<0.05). One patient (1.2%) developed a pseudoaneurysm requiring reoperation, with no grade 4 or higher complications. Graft function remained stable, and no patients experienced graft failure. The efficacy and safety of KT in patients with multiple renal arteries were acceptable.