Approach to splitting a horseshoe kidney for deceased donor transplantation

Background: The complex anatomy of horseshoe kidneys are associated with high discard rate and poor outcomes, particularly when split for transplantation. We described the surgical approach for en bloc procurement, splitting, and reconstruction of a horseshoe kidney from a deceased donor. Methods: A...

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Main Authors: Bruce Li, Jirong Lu, Patrick P. Luke
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-09-01
Series:Urology Video Journal
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590089725000283
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author Bruce Li
Jirong Lu
Patrick P. Luke
author_facet Bruce Li
Jirong Lu
Patrick P. Luke
author_sort Bruce Li
collection DOAJ
description Background: The complex anatomy of horseshoe kidneys are associated with high discard rate and poor outcomes, particularly when split for transplantation. We described the surgical approach for en bloc procurement, splitting, and reconstruction of a horseshoe kidney from a deceased donor. Methods: A horseshoe kidney with multiple renal arteries and veins was procured bloc from a 27-year-old donor following neurologic brain death. Following en bloc procurement, back-table dissection facilitated vascular, collecting system reconstruction, splitting of the isthmus. The left renal moiety was transplanted into a 31-year-old female with two failed transplants, while the right moiety, with preserved isthmus, was transplanted into a 49-year-old male undergoing his first transplant. Results: Both grafts were transplanted successfully with immediate graft function after a cold ischemia time of 8 h 40 min (left), 13 h 49 min (right). Total surgery times were 3 h 29 min (left), 3 h 37 min (right). Post-operative course was unremarkable, besides one episode of acute pancreatitis managed conservatively for the recipient that received the left moiety. Nine-month follow-up showed excellent graft function in both recipients. Conclusion: Successful transplantation of a split horseshoe kidney requires careful anatomical assessment, precise dissection, and reconstructive techniques.
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spelling doaj-art-e74b5d3f845d4b0cb7b9ae892be870012025-08-23T04:48:57ZengElsevierUrology Video Journal2590-08972025-09-012710035310.1016/j.urolvj.2025.100353Approach to splitting a horseshoe kidney for deceased donor transplantationBruce Li0Jirong Lu1Patrick P. Luke2Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Western University, London, ON, CanadaDivision of Urology, Department of Surgery, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Multi-Organ Transplant Program, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, CanadaDivision of Urology, Department of Surgery, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Multi-Organ Transplant Program, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada; Corresponding author at: Division of Urology, Western University, University Hospital 339 Windermere Road, London, Ontario N6A 5A5, Canada.Background: The complex anatomy of horseshoe kidneys are associated with high discard rate and poor outcomes, particularly when split for transplantation. We described the surgical approach for en bloc procurement, splitting, and reconstruction of a horseshoe kidney from a deceased donor. Methods: A horseshoe kidney with multiple renal arteries and veins was procured bloc from a 27-year-old donor following neurologic brain death. Following en bloc procurement, back-table dissection facilitated vascular, collecting system reconstruction, splitting of the isthmus. The left renal moiety was transplanted into a 31-year-old female with two failed transplants, while the right moiety, with preserved isthmus, was transplanted into a 49-year-old male undergoing his first transplant. Results: Both grafts were transplanted successfully with immediate graft function after a cold ischemia time of 8 h 40 min (left), 13 h 49 min (right). Total surgery times were 3 h 29 min (left), 3 h 37 min (right). Post-operative course was unremarkable, besides one episode of acute pancreatitis managed conservatively for the recipient that received the left moiety. Nine-month follow-up showed excellent graft function in both recipients. Conclusion: Successful transplantation of a split horseshoe kidney requires careful anatomical assessment, precise dissection, and reconstructive techniques.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590089725000283Transplantation, kidneyOrgan donation, donor selection, horseshoe
spellingShingle Bruce Li
Jirong Lu
Patrick P. Luke
Approach to splitting a horseshoe kidney for deceased donor transplantation
Urology Video Journal
Transplantation, kidney
Organ donation, donor selection, horseshoe
title Approach to splitting a horseshoe kidney for deceased donor transplantation
title_full Approach to splitting a horseshoe kidney for deceased donor transplantation
title_fullStr Approach to splitting a horseshoe kidney for deceased donor transplantation
title_full_unstemmed Approach to splitting a horseshoe kidney for deceased donor transplantation
title_short Approach to splitting a horseshoe kidney for deceased donor transplantation
title_sort approach to splitting a horseshoe kidney for deceased donor transplantation
topic Transplantation, kidney
Organ donation, donor selection, horseshoe
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590089725000283
work_keys_str_mv AT bruceli approachtosplittingahorseshoekidneyfordeceaseddonortransplantation
AT jironglu approachtosplittingahorseshoekidneyfordeceaseddonortransplantation
AT patrickpluke approachtosplittingahorseshoekidneyfordeceaseddonortransplantation