Purpose: Colonic perforations in renal transplant recipients have historically been associated with mortality rates as high as 50 to 100 percent. However, these previous series generally predate the use of cyclosporine-based immunosuppressive protocols.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all patients who had undergone renal transplant from our institution and who developed complicated diverticulitis. Complicated diverticulitis was defined as diverticulitis involving free perforation, abscess, phlegmon, or fistula. Factors analyzed included the time interval since transplantation, use of cyclosporine, living-related vs. cadaveric donor, cause of renal failure, and presenting signs and symptoms.
Results: Between August 1969 and September 1996, 1,211 kidney transplants were performed in 1,137 patients. The first 388 patients (1969-1984) received prednisone and azathioprine, with cyclosporine added to the immunosuppressive regimen for the subsequent 823 recipients (1984-1996). Thirteen (1.1 percent) patients had episodes of complicated diverticulitis, occurring from 25 days to 14 years after transplant; all required surgical therapy. Clinical presentation was highly variable, ranging from asymptomatic pneumoperitoneum (2 patients) to generalized peritonitis. There was one perioperative mortality (7.7 percent). Patients with polycystic kidney disease as the cause of renal failure had a significantly higher rate of complicated diverticulitis. Specifically, patients with polycystic kidney disease (9 percent of the total transplant population) accounted for 46 percent of the cases of diverticulitis (P < 0.001, Fisher's exact probability test). Neither treatment with cyclosporine nor donor source had a significant effect on the rate of diverticular complications (P = 0.36 and P = 0.99, respectively, Fisher's exact probability test).
Conclusion: Complicated diverticulitis following renal transplantation is rare, and the clinical presentation may be atypical in the immunosuppressed transplant recipient. Patients with polycystic kidney disease experience a significantly higher rate of complicated diverticulitis than do other transplant patients and, therefore, warrant aggressive diagnostic evaluation of even vague abdominal symptoms. In addition, pretransplant screening and prophylactic sigmoid resection in this high-risk population deserve consideration and further study.