Risk factors for the development of surgical wound complications in renal transplantation

Abstract

Introduction: Surgical complications are a risk for the patient after kidney transplantation, with several possible risk factors involved. Objective: To determine which risk factors contribute to the development of surgical wound complications in renal transplant patients. Material and Method: Retrospective cohort study in renal transplant patients from January 2018 to December 2021. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected from the donor and recipient. The incidence of surgical wound infection and dehiscence, and risk factors were analysed. Results: 13.5% of the patients presented infection and 15.9% dehiscence, being older patients (61.71±9.81 years versus 56.56±11.88 years; p=0.030), with a higher rate of overweight according to BMI (42.9% versus 19.6%; p=0.046) and a higher associated comorbidity (3.07±1.54 versus 2.23±1.38; p=0.003). Of the patients with infection, 53.6% also had superficial wound dehiscence. Exudate appeared in 90.9% of the cases who developed dehiscence compared to 12.1% of the patients who did not suffer such a complication (p<0.001). Conclusions: Infection and dehiscence are frequent complications after renal transplantation. Age, overweight, high comorbidity and exudate are risk factors for developing surgical wound complications after renal transplantation.