Multiple Renal Arteries in Live Donor Renal Transplantation and Impact on Graft Function and Outcome: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study is to evaluate the outcomes of live-donor renal allografts with multiple and single renal arteries taking into consideration ischemia times, graft function, and other complications including vascular and urological. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective study by analyzing a prospectively maintained database from January 2021 to December 2021 of all patients undergoing live-related renal allograft transplants at a tertiary care center in North India. A total of 239 live donor kidney transplants were performed during this period. Patients were divided into two groups - Group 1: Single artery single anastomosis and Group 2: Multiple arteries with two or more anastomoses. Duplex imaging of the graft was done at 6 months. Recipients were followed up for possible graft dysfunction, arterial insufficiency, and major urological complications. Results: Mean ischemia times in the two groups were 20.62 ± 1.05 and 30.45 ± 1.77 min, respectively. Failure to normalize creatinine (<1.2 mg/dl) within 72 h was seen in 6/183 and 3/56 (P > 0.05). Slow graft function was encountered in 6 cases in Group 1 and 3 cases in Group 2. Delayed graft function occurred in two patients in both groups. One-year graft survival among the groups was 5/183 and 2/56, respectively (P > 0.05). One patient from Group 1 developed transplant renal artery stenosis. Six patients from Group 1 developed ureteric complications. Conclusion: Donor grafts with multiple renal arteries may be accepted safely with careful surgical reconstruction and close surveillance posttransplant.