İstanbul Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi, vol.86, no.2, pp.103-108, 2023 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
Objective: The use of ureteral catheters in renal transplantation is controversial. We aimed to investigate the effect of intraoperative catheter use on bacteriuria and urological complications in deceased donor renal transplantation. Material and Method: Study design is cross sectional study. A total of 150 patients who underwent deceased donor renal transplantation in the Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine Transplantation Unit were included in the study. Ureteral catheters were used in 72 patients but not in the remaining 78. The two patient groups were compared in terms of the incidence of early postoperative urological complications and bacteriuria in the first month after transplantation. Result: Ureteral catheter usage significantly reduced the frequency of early postoperative urological complications (p=0.004). The frequency of bacteriuria in the first month after transplantation was significantly lower in patients using ureteral catheters (p<0.001). In patients with ureteral catheters, the duration of anti-thymocyte globulin administration (p=0.003) and Foley catheter usage (p<0.001) was found to be significantly shorter than in the group without ureteral catheters. Conclusion: The routine use of ureteral catheters results in fewer urological complications in patients with deceased donor renal transplantation. Catheter use does not increase, and even lowers, the risk of early bacteriuria. The significant reduction in early bacteriuria in patients with ureteral catheters is associated with significantly shorter durations of anti-thymocyte globulin and Foley catheter usage. Therefore, the routine use of intraoperative ureteral catheters is recommended in deceased donor renal transplantation.