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Kidney Transplant

Surgery

Evaluation of the Symptoms

Creatinine was 3.9, BUN was 86. An ultrasound was ordered. Results showed a collection of fluid to the side of the kidney called a lymphocele. This fluid was a post-surgical complication and could have hindered blood flow into or urine outflow from the transplanted kidney. Surgeons used a CT scanner to guide them, and drained the fluid from the lymphocele.

Another issue confronted was cyclosporine toxicity. Cyclosporine is a strong anti-rejection drug with many side effects and may be toxic to the kidney nephrons (filters) if the dosage is not monitored. On this hospital stay the cyclosporine level was high, another reason for elevated creatinine. Cyclosporine dosage was decreased to 250 mg a day and prednisone dosage was at 50 mg a day. Hand tremors improved with these medication changes. Transplant function improved with the combination of draining the lymphocele and changing the cyclosporine dose--by discharge 3 days later creatine had dropped back to 1.6 and BUN to 48.

State two complications that can occur after transplantation