Emergency surgical treatment of complicated acute pancreatitis after kidney transplantation with acute rejection: Case report and literature review

• Acute pancreatitis is a rare but frequently fatal complication and challenging therapeutical situation in patients following kidney transplantation.
• Several etiological agents are listed, which also include the effect of immunosuppressive medication.
• Patient care requires reduction of immunosuppressive medication and very close co-operation between the surgeon, nephrologist, intensivist and anaesthetist.

IntroductionAcute pancreatitis is a rare but frequently fatal complication in patients following kidney transplantation. The first case of acute pancreatitis in patients following a kidney transplant was described by Starzl in 1964. The incidence of acute pancreatitis is stated at between 1 and 5%. The mortality rate amongst these patients reaches as high as 50–100%.Presentation of caseHere we present a case of acute pancreatic abscess in a caucasian female – shortly following a kidney transplant complicated by the development of acute rejection, in which immunosuppressant therapy is a potential etiological agent. Emergency surgical treatment was indicated, which included drainage of the abscesses irrigation of the abdominal cavity. Immunosuppressive medication was considered a possible etiological factor, and as a result administration of tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil was discontinued. This was successful and three months later, diagnostic rebiopsy of the graft was performed without signs of rejection.DiscussionThe etiology of this illness is multifactorial. The clinical manifestation of acute pancreatitis in patients following kidney transplantation is the same as in the remainder of the population. However, in patients following transplantation with long-term immunosuppression, it usually manifests a more rapid development and a more severe, frequently fatal course.ConclusionsWith regard to the patient's comorbidities, early surgical therapy was indicated – drainage and closed lavage and immunosuppressive medication as a suspected tobe ethiological factor was discontinued. This course of treatment led to a complete recovery with preservation of good function of the cadaverous kidney.