Renal Artery Aneurysm at the Anastomosis After Kidney Transplantation

Vascular complications represent serious problems after kidney transplantation. An aneurysm of the transplanted renal artery is an extremely rare but potentially devastating complication that which occurs in fewer than 1% of recipients. It can cause hypertension, functional impairment, and even graft loss. A 49-year-old man was admitted 6 months after his second renal transplantation. Duplex ultrasonography demonstrated an aneurysm at the anastomosis of the transplanted renal artery. The patient has not had any complaints. The function of the graft was stable. A computed tomography scan confirmed the diagnosis. Because of the high risk of rupture we decided upon surgical repair. During the operation, blood flow to the kidney was occluded; the graft was cooled with Euro-Collin’s solution and ice-cold saline. After the resection there was enough usable arterial wall to construct a new anastomosis. The patient had an uneventful postoperative period, the serum creatinine decreased to the preoperative level, and the function of the graft was stable. Renal artery aneurysms represent high-risk complications. We decided on surgical repair, which was performed with simultaneous perfusion and cooling of the graft. There are only a few similar cases in the literature; it was the first operation using this method in our practice. Surgical reconstruction of a renal artery aneurysm, if feasible, is a safe procedure that prevents aneurysm rupture and saves the graft.