Ten-year retrospective analysis of incisional herniorrhaphy following renal transplantation.
OBJECTIVE
Repair of incisional hernias in renal transplant recipients is compromised because of immunosuppressive therapy.


METHODS
Retrospective review.


METHODS
University tertiary care institution.


METHODS
Forty-two recipients of renal transplants or combined renal-pancreas transplants who underwent incisional herniorrhaphy were included in our study.


METHODS
Incisional herniorrhaphy.


METHODS
Postoperative complications and recurrence of incisional hernia.


RESULTS
Forty-two patients (mean age, 49.6 years) underwent incisional herniorrhaphy (mean area, 99.9 cm(2)) following renal transplantation (26 cadaveric donor renal, 12 combined renal-pancreas, and 4 living related donor renal) from January 1, 1995, to December 31, 2005. Using various techniques, hernia repairs were performed on average 36.4 months following transplantation. Diabetes mellitus was a frequent cause of end-stage renal disease (16 patients), followed by polycystic kidney disease (6 patients), focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (3 patients), hypertension (2 patients), Alport syndrome (2 patients), and IgA nephropathy (2 patients), with 11 patients having lupus or glomerulonephritis. Four patients developed cellulitis, 2 patients required mesh removal, and 1 patient was admitted for abscess drainage and intravenous antibiotics. Fourteen patients had recurrence of incisional hernias, with 3 patients experiencing 2 recurrences and 1 patient experiencing 4 recurrences.


CONCLUSIONS
To our knowledge, this is the largest series of incisional herniorrhaphies performed among patients following renal transplantation. Although smoking history, the presence of diabetes, and immunosuppressive therapy were not associated with the initial development of an incisional hernia, they were associated with complications. Component separation performed by transplant and plastic and reconstructive surgeons should be considered in the setting of recurrent hernias and large defects.
Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, 94143-0932, USA.
Edward I
EI
Chang
Michael G
MG
Galvez
Benjamin E
BE
Padilla
Christopher E
CE
Freise
Robert D
RD
Foster
William Y
WY
Hoffman
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006555:Hernia, Ventral / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016035:Pancreas Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D012307:Risk Factors; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents