Laparoscopic Fixation for Torsion of Transplanted Kidney: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Kidney graft torsion and subsequent acute kidney injury is a rare yet potentially devastating complication of intraperitoneal kidney transplant. We report a case of this elusive diagnosis and describe kidney salvage by using laparoscopic fixation.

CASE REPORT: A 49-year-old male patient presented with multiple episodes of anuric acute kidney injury 16 months after an uneventful combined orthotopic liver and kidney transplantation. After a thorough investigation, a diagnosis of kidney torsion was made, and the patient was urgently operated. Upon surgery, a complete torsion of a viable kidney was found. Laparoscopic fixation was achieved by using an absorbable mesh "pocket." The patient has experienced no similar episodes in the subsequent year.

CONCLUSIONS: Nephrologists and surgeons should be aware of this rare complication. Prompt diagnosis and operative repair are crucial to save the graft. Prophylactic nephropexy should be considered in all intraperitoneal transplantations.