Rabbit antithymocyte globulin: A postoperative risk factor for sirolimus-treated renal transplant patients?

Aims. Randomized controlled studies suggest an increased incidence of perioperative wound complications among sirolimus-treated renal transplant patients. The present study analyzed the effect of rabbit antithymocyte globulin (rATG) on these postoperative complications. Methods. Four hundred and twelve renal transplants were performed and managed postoperatively at two University-affiliated hospitals between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2003. The patients received corticosteroids and Sirolimus, with delayed introduction of cyclosporine when the serum creatinine had decreased below 2.5 mg/dL. Two groups of patients were discriminated: group 1 received Basiliximab 20 mg on day 0 and day 4 (n = 283); group 2 recipients with a high panel of reactive antibody (PRA > 20%) and retransplant patients received rATG for induction (n = 129) for a maximum of 2 weeks postoperatively. The incidence of rejection was 14.5% for group 1 vs. 8.5% for group 2 patients. To avoid confounding variable associated with the rejection treatment, any patient with rejection was excluded for statistical analysis, as were patients with follow- up less than 30 days. The final study group for analysis included 350 patients: 235 with Basiliximab induction (group 1) and 115 rATG induction (group 2). The mean follow-up was 21.8 ± 11 months. Differences in the incidences of postoperative hernia, wound infections, or lymphoceles requiring any form of drainage were analyzed for statistical significance using the chi-square test. Results. The percentage of patients with wound complications was 26.0% versus 39.1% (P <. 025) for group 1 versus group 2, respectively. Incisional hernias occurred in 10.6% versus 18.3% patients (P <. 05), wound infections in 11.1% versus 16.5% (P = NS), and lymphoceles in 10.6% versus 15.9% (P = NS) for the two groups, respectively. Conclusions. rATG-induced renal transplants recipients treated with sirolimus, cyclosporine, and steroids show a significantly increased incidence of postoperative incisional hernias and a trend toward a greater number of lymphocele and wound infection complications.