Medical and surgical complications of renal transplantation: diagnosis and management.

Abstract

Renal transplantation is a common modality of therapy in end-stage renal failure, but it has the potential of developing many complications, both surgical and medical in nature. In transplantation surgery, more than in any other type of surgery, prevention of these complications is essential. This includes attention to many details, including optimum organ salvage, preservation, implantation, and postoperative care. Although infection has decreased in frequency and severity with the advent of antiviral and antibacterial agents, prevention, early diagnosis, and suitable treatment with appropriate antibiotic(s) will be necessary to obtain desirable results and to reduce morbidity and mortality. It should be stressed that although careful attention to the patients and adjustment of the immunosuppressive regimen may mitigate much of the gastrointestinal, hematologic, and osteogenic complications, high incidence of cancer of the skin and mucous membrane continues.