Outcome of renal transplantation with and without intra-operative diuretics

AIMS: This paper presents an e-survey of current clinical practice of use of intra-operative diuretics during renal transplantation in the United Kingdom and a study to compare outcome of renal transplants carried out with or without intra-operative diuretics in our centre. METHODS: An e-mail questionnaire to renal transplant surgeons exploring their practice of renal transplantation with or without intra-operative diuretics, the type of a diuretic/s if used and the relevant doses. An observational study comparing the outcome of renal transplant recipients, group no-diuretics (GND, n = 80) carried out from 2004 to 2008 versus group diuretics (GD n = 69) renal transplant recipients who received intra-operative diuretics over a one year period is presented. Outcome measures were incidence of delayed graft function and a comparison of graft survival in both groups. RESULTS: Forty surgeons answered from 18 transplant centres with a response rate of 67%. 13 surgeons do not use diuretics. Mannitol is used by 10/40, Furosemide 6/40 and 11 surgeons use a combination of both. In comparative study there was no significant overall difference in one year graft survival of GD versus GND (N = 65/69, 94% and 75/80, 94% respectively, p = 0.08) and the incidence of delayed graft function was also comparable (16/69, 23% and 21/80, 26% respectively, p = 0.07). The donor characteristics in both groups were comparable. CONCLUSION: The study showed variation in clinical practice on the use of intra-operative diuretics in renal transplantation and it did not demonstrate that the use of diuretics can improve renal graft survival.