title: [Renal transplantation at night].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In renal transplantation, prolonged cold ischaemia time (CIT) increases the risk of delayed graft function, rejection and graft failure. To minimise CIT, renal transplantations are performed directly upon graft availability and often take place during the night. Night-time surgery is supposedly associated with an increased risk of surgical complications compared with daytime operations. The aim of this study was to assess the consequences of night-time renal transplantation on surgical complications and graft function.
  
  
  METHODS
  384 adult recipients of deceased-donor renal transplantations performed between January 2007 and June 2012 were retrospectively examined. Night-time renal transplantations were defined as surgery between 11 PM and 6 AM. The primary outcome was the occurrence of surgical complications. The secondary outcome was graft function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No differences in surgical complications or graft function were observed among daytime and night-time groups. CIT was significantly increased in night-time renal transplantation (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Night-time renal transplantation is not associated with an increased risk of surgical complications or graft failure, and can be considered a safe procedure. Given the need to minimise CIT, delaying the procedure until the morning is unjustified.
authors.affiliation: Academisch Medisch Centrum, Amsterdam.
authors.forename: M Matthijs
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Fockens
authors.forename: Victor P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Alberts
authors.forename: Frederike J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Bemelman
authors.forename: Mirza M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Idu
mesh_terms: D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D050377:Cold Ischemia; D051799:Delayed Graft Function / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000453:epidemiology; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies