Kidney autotransplantation: long-term outcomes and complications. Experience in a tertiary hospital and literature review.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze indications, surgical technique, complications and long-term outcomes of kidney autotransplantation (KAT) after 26-year experience at a single institution.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study of patients who underwent KAT at our institution (January 1990-December 2016) was carried out. Data collected included indications, surgical technique, complications (Clavien-Dindo), hospital stay and long-term outcomes. Literature review was performed through MEDLINE and ClinicalKey databases including "kidney," "renal," "autotransplantation" and "autograft."

RESULTS: Fifteen patients underwent a KAT, with a mean age of 41 years (range 34-59). Indications were vascular abnormalities in 8 cases and ureteral injury in 7. Nephrectomy was performed through laparoscopy in 2 cases (13.3%) and open in 13 (86.7%). Vascular grafts to reperfuse the kidney were used in 8 patients, and ureteral reimplantation was performed in 11 cases. Mean hospital stay was 9.1 days (range 3-20). Seven patients (46.7%) developed postoperative complications: 6 minor (Clavien I-II) and 1 major (Clavien III). After a mean follow-up of 73.1 months (range 7-312), 80% of the patients have a functioning graft. Most common indication reported in the literature is ureteral stricture, especially in the most recent years. Graft survival is variable, and complications are frequent, but usually minor.

CONCLUSIONS: KAT is an effective treatment for complex ureteral lesions and kidney vascular abnormalities, with good results in the long term. Surgical complications are frequent, but usually minor. As a challenging surgery, it should be performed by experienced kidney transplant surgeons. Complex and proximal ureteral injuries are nowadays the main indication of this procedure.