Short-Term Outcome of Renal Transplantation Treated With Pre-Transplant Peritoneal Dialysis

OBJECTIVE: Pre-transplant dialysis has been reported to have an impact on the outcome in renal transplantation; however, it is still controversial. This study evaluated the short-term outcome of pre-transplant peritoneal dialysis (PD) in comparison to that of hemodialysis (HD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: All living donor kidney transplantations performed from January 2008 to April 2009 were enrolled and divided into 2 groups according to pre-transplant dialysis, HD and PD. The recipient's age, duration of dialysis, acute rejection episodes, incidence of infection, serum creatinine level, and surgical complications were evaluated. RESULTS: The PD group was significantly younger and the duration of their dialysis was shorter. The creatinine level in the PD group was significantly lower than that in the HD group. Acute rejection proven by biopsy was seen in 4 of 36 patients in the HD group and in only 1 of 14 patients in the PD group. There was no difference in the incidence of infection between the 2 groups. There were no vessel complications in any patients, but there were a few urological complications in both groups. Delayed graft function resulting from intractable ascites occurred in 1 patient in the PD group. CONCLUSION: Renal transplantation in patients with pre-transplant PD can be performed safely, although the development of ascites, the timing of removal of the PD catheter, and encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis may occur even after successful transplantation.