The fate of failed renal homografts retained after retransplantation

The fate of nonfunctioning or poorly functioning renal homografts which were left in situ at retransplantation was studied in 28 patients. In one recipient, lethal septicemia developed secondary to necrosis as well as infection of a retained intraabdominal graft. In three other patients, subsequent symptoms developed from retained extraperitoneal pelvic grafts, and these kidneys were removed without complication. It is suggested that grafts placed extraperitoneally can be left in place if retransplantation becomes necessary, provided that there is careful follow up study for signs of necrosis or infection. Removal of the kidney graft then may be performed electively at a later time, or this may never become necessary in a significant number of patients