Abstract
Observing graft blood supply post kidney trans-
plantation is essential. Compromised graft perfusion
must be identified without delay to preserve organ
survival. Implantable probes have revolutionised the
graft monitoring process in kidney transplantation
leading to safe, continuous, and distinct monitoring of
blood supply. The Implantable Cook-Swartz Doppler
Flow Monitoring System allows immediate salvaging
of a compressed kidney. The implantable Doppler
probe can easily and effectively identify such cases and
save the limited number of organs that are available to
today’s patients.
Introduction
Observing graft blood supply after a kidney
transplant is essential. Compromised graft perfusion
must be identified without delay to preserve organ
survival. With today’s increasing demand for
kidneys, postoperative surveillance must evolve to
prolong transplant success. Traditional methods (eg,
Doppler ultrasound) can be slow and ambiguous.
They also must be performed repetitively after
kidney transplantation.
Implantable probes have revolutionized graft
monitoring during kidney transplantation, leading
to safe, continuous, and distinct monitoring of
vascular anastomoses. By adopting this technique
(eg, initially introduced to observe microvascular
tissue transplants,
1
free flaps,
2
and pediatric liver
transplants
3
), surgeons have become more effective
at monitoring postoperative grafts. Our team has used
the probe quickly and effectively to monitor blood
flow to the kidney. This technique provides immediate
indication of blood flow and, should it be required,
allows the surgeon to readjust the position of the
kidney to maximize flow before incision closure,
reducing the need for postoperative exploration. By
adopting this method, we can be assured that the
kidney is perfused, and we eliminate the need for
ultrasound monitoring. 7 days after surgery the
probes are removed. Removal is simple, and is done
by gentle traction on the wire (1/10th lb
approximately, 50 g pressure) that disengages the
crystal from the cuff.
Implantation of the probe on the renal artery
during transplant can ensure blood flow to the
kidney. Venous return can also be monitored using
the probe; however, it is costlier. Similarly, multiple
probes may be inserted should there be multiple
anastomoses; but again, this would increase cost.
We use the Implantable Cook-Swartz Doppler
Probe (Cook Vascular Inc, Vandergrift, PA, USA)
(Figure 1).
4
CASe RePORT
Rescue of Transplanted Kidney Thanks to an Implantable
Doppler Probe: Is This the Future?
David N. Hakim,
1
Maria Abou Nader,
2
Anshuman Sood,
3
Apostolos Kandilis,
4
Nadey S. Hakim
4
Copyright © Başkent University 2016
Printed in Turkey. All Rights Reserved.
From the
1
Imperial College London, United Kingdom;
2
the American University of Beirut,
Lebanon;
3
the Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland; and the
4
Imperial College Healthcare
NHS Trust
Acknowledgements: The authors declare that they have no sources of funding for this study,
and they have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Corresponding author: Professor Nadey S. Hakim, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust,
Ducane Road, London, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 78 5050 3297 E-mail: nadey@globalnet.co.uk
Experimental and Clinical Transplantation (2016) 4: 454-455
DOI: 10.6002/ect.2014.0135
Figure 1. The Cook-Swartz Doppler Probe: 20-MHz crystal attached to a cuff,
allowing for easy attachment, and safe, continuous monitoring of
microvascular anastomoses