Preventing wound complications is an important goal in all surgery. The reduction of modifiable risk factors, like surgical approach, is an important step towards protecting patients from further morbidity. We hypothesized that the Anterior Rectus Sheath approach (ARS), which was adopted in Nov. 2012 for renal transplant recipients, would provide a minimally invasive, open transplant with less wound complications and equivocal graft function and survival when compared to the standard conventional technique (CON). Between Jan. 1, 2011 and Dec. 31, 2014, 166 patients underwent kidney transplantation at our center. Six patients were excluded (4 intraperitoneal and 2 simultaneous native nephrectomy), leaving 84 in the ARS and 76 in the CON group. Retrospectively, demographics and perioperative factors were found to be similar, but operative and post-operative findings indicated significant differences (Table 1). Regression analysis also supported benefit of new approach. The ARS facilitates a small incision and minimizes the invasiveness of the open procedure. We concluded that this easily adopted modification of the conventional transplant technique is a safe, effective, and swift approach. Our results indicate favorable function with improved outcomes and lower post-operative wound complications.

CITATION INFORMATION: Phillips S, Hill S, Lipscomb L, Sankari B, Chueh S.-C, Africa J. Anterior Rectus Sheath Approach for Renal Transplant: An Open Minimal Incision with Decreased Wound Complications. Am J Transplant. 2016;16 (suppl 3).

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