Table 5.

Significant surgical complications after kidney transplants

Cause	Characteristics	Diagnosis	Treatment
Renal vein thrombosis	- A sudden drop in urine output - Dark hematuria, tender/swollen graft	Ultrasound with Doppler	Reexploration for thrombectomy or nephrectomy Reexploration, usually for nephrectomy
Renal artery thrombosis	A sudden drop in urine output, usually no tenderness over graft	Ultrasound with Doppler
Ureter obstruction	- Elevated creatinine	- Hydroureter (per ultrasound), - Possible lymphoceles (per ultrasound)	- Percutaneous nephrostogram, - Drainage of any lymphoceles
Urine leak	- Fever, pain over graft, Fluid leakage from the wound	- Renal scan, - Fluid analysis for creatinine (high if urine leak)	- Drainage of any urinoma, Percutaneous nephrostomy and stenting the ureter - Surgical re-exploration for the early leak or unsuccessful medical treatment
Wound infection	- Erythema around the wound, - Drainage from the wound	- Physical examination - Ultrasound or CT (to rule out deep infection)	- Wound opening (for superficial infection) - Ultrasound or CT (to rule out deep infection) Drainage (for deep infection with fluid collection) - Drainage (for deep infection with fluid accumulation)