ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Italian Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery 2015 June;22(2):61-4

Copyright © 2015 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

lingua: Inglese

ePTFE suture is an effective tool for vascular anastomosis in kidney transplantation

Franchin M. ¹, Tozzi M. ², Ietto G. ¹, Soldini G. ¹, Castelli P. ², Piffaretti G. ²

¹ Unit of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery and Center for Research on Organ Transplantion, University of Insubria School of Medicine, Circolo University Hospital, Varese, Italy; ² Unit of General Surgery 1, Department of Surgery and Center for Research on Organ Transplantion, University of Insubria School of Medicine, Circolo University Hospital, Varese, Italy

AIM: We evaluated the impact of the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) suture on perioperative outcomes in kidney transplantation and compared it to a standard polypropylene (PP) suture.
METHODS: Between January 2011 and December 2013, 130 consecutive kidney transplantations were analyzed. Group A (N.=92, 70.7%) refers to ePTFE suture, and B (N.=38, 29.3%) to PP suture.
RESULTS: Group A showed a significantly lower operative time to complete the vascular anastomosis (minute, 35±3 vs. 40±7, P=0.001) and lower mean blood loss (mL, 140±75 vs. 180±70, P=0.002). Reoperation for bleeding or perirenal hematoma was never required. All blood transfusions were occurred in group B (0% vs. 7.3%, P=0.039). Length of hospitalization did not differ between the two groups (days, 20±5 vs. 19±5; P=0.840). All but 3 (97.7%) patients were available at a mean follow-up of 28.6±9.2 months (range, 4-40). During the follow-up vascular complications including arterial stenosis, pseudoaneurysm or venous thrombosis were not observed in both groups.
CONCLUSION: In our experience, ePTFE was associated with reduced operative time of vascular reconstruction, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative need of transfusions and costs per procedure.