A Novel Technique of Dual Kidney Transplantation (DKT) From Adult Donors

Objective: To discuss a novel technique of dual kidney transplantation that has not been described in literature.

Methods: Dual Kidney Transplantation (DKT) is done for kidneys from expanded criteria donors. The 3 described techniques in literature (bilateral placement, unilateral placement with separate or patch anastomosis) have some disadvantages. This newer technique describes the use of the donor iliac artery as an interposition Y graft for joining both kidneys of the dual kidney transplant. This method can overcome some of the disadvantages associated with the previously described techniques. The ureters were implanted in urinary bladder separately in one recipient and together in another recipient.

Results: This technique was used in 2 cases. The cold ischemia time was 275 minutes and 765 minutes, respectively while the operative time was 187 minutes and 192 minutes, respectively in the 2 patients. The first patient has creatinine of 0.83 mg/dl on last follow up at 6 months whereas the other patient has creatinine of 1.12 mg/dl at 3 months follow up. Computed tomography angiography of both the patients revealed good contrast uptake in both kidneys with no stenosis, torsion or lymphocele.

Conclusion: The newer technique avoids scarring of both iliac fossa in DKT while reducing operative time and secondary warm ischemia time by doing a single arterial anastomosis in the recipient and allows easier placement of both kidneys in the right iliac fossa.