Urinary fistula repair in a renal graft through a partial nephrectomy and omentoplasty

Abstract

Objectives: We present the management with partial nephrectomy and interposition of the greater omentum in case of urinary fistulas in renal allograft.

Material and method: We present a patient with necrosis at the inferior pole of the renal graft that affected calyceal system but with pyeloureteral vascularization preserved. The patient's condition was satisfactorily managed with a partial nephrectomy of the necrotic renal segment and primary suturing of the collecting system with interposition of the greater omentum. We reviewed the cases published to date of partial nephrectomy in renal allograft, and examined their outcomes by analyzing the patient presentation, diagnostic tools, and surgical techniques used.

Results: There are few cases in the current literature that describe conservative surgical management of urinary fistulas caused by segmental necrosis after renal transplantation. Surgical approach using partial nephrectomy in these cases produces favorable outcomes in our experience and reported cases.

Conclusions: Despite its obvious surgical complexity, this nephron-sparing management is feasible and should be implemented in cases where the prior renal function and the quantity of healthy parenchyma indicate a favorable subsequent evolution for the renal graft.