Background: Lymphatic disorders (LDs) are the most common minor complications after kidney transplantation (KT), with an incidence rate between 0.6% and 33.9%, which appears to be related to both surgical and medical factors. LDs mostly resolve spontaneously, but occasionally a surgical approach may be required.
Materials and methods: We report our experience with 7 KT recipients who developed persistent lymphorrhea (>150 mL/24 h) between October 2017 and March 2019. All cases were treated as outpatients with parietal fistulectomy (PF). The fibrotic aponeurotic-cutaneous tract was thoroughly excised, and the residual aponeurotic defect was closed by watertight suturing. Serial abdominal ultrasounds (US) were carried out after the procedure.
Results: A small perirenal graft lymphocele of <2 cm was detected by US in all patients after 48 to 72 hours, without any evidence of either vascular or ureteral compression. During the subsequent scheduled US follow-up, lymphoceles did not increase in size, and additional interventions were not needed. Neither superficial nor deep surgical-site infections were recorded in such patients.
Conclusions: PF was found to be a safe and effective minimally invasive approach for persistent lymphorrhea after KT. It could be easily performed with local anesthesia in a day surgery setting and did not require patient hospitalization.
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