Affiliation:
1. Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute Cleveland Clinic Cleveland Ohio USA
2. Quantitative Health Sciences Cleveland Clinic Cleveland Ohio USA
3. Cleveland Clinic Pharmacies Cleveland Clinic Cleveland Ohio USA
4. Transplant Institute Memorial Healthcare System Hollywood Florida USA
5. Urology Department, Kasralainy School of Medicine Cairo University Cairo Egypt
Abstract
AbstractIntroductionWound related complications (WRC) are a significant source of morbidity in kidney transplant recipients, and may be mitigated by surgical approach. We hypothesize that the anterior rectus sheath approach (ARS) may decrease WRC and inpatient opiate use compared to the Gibson Approach (GA).MethodsThis double‐blinded randomized controlled trial allocated kidney transplant recipients aged 18 or older, exclusive of other procedures, 1:1 to ARS or GA at a single hospital. The ARS involves a muscle‐splitting paramedian approach to the iliopsoas fossa, compared to the muscle‐cutting GA. Patients and data analysts were blinded to randomization.ResultsSeventy five patients were randomized to each group between August 27, 2019 and September 18, 2020 with a minimum 12 month follow‐up. There was no difference in WRC between groups (p = .23). Nine (12%) and three patients (4%) experienced any WRC in the ARS and GA groups, respectively. Three and one Clavien IIIb complications occurred in the ARS and GA groups, respectively. In a multiple linear regression model, ARS was associated with decreased inpatient opioid use (β = –58, 95% CI: –105 to –12, p = .016).ConclusionsThe ARS did not provide a WRC benefit in kidney transplant recipients, but may be associated with decreased inpatient opioid use.