ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

The advances in surgical techniques and immunosuppression have improved results in organ transplantation which enabled pregnancies following the return of good health and normal endocrine function. Reports about the anesthetic management of renal transplant recipient (RTR) during cesarean section (C/S) were not found in the literature. The aim of this study is to present our experience in RTRs during C/S.

MATERIALS-METHODS:

Retrospect ive data regarding RTRs who underwent C/S among 1645 renal transplantations at Baskent Univer sity Hospital in Ankara between January 1977 and Decem ber 2007 have been collected from hospital records.

RESULTS:

Eleven live births occured from ten RTRs. Two of them from vaginal delivery and 9 from C/S. The mean maternal age was 28 ± 4.6 years. The time from transplantation to conception was 41.1 ± 30.4 months. The mean gestational age was 33.5 ± 3.6 weeks and all recipients were maintained on cyclosporine, azathioprine and corticosteroids before and during pregnancy for immunosuppression. Five C/Ss were performed under general anesthesia whereas spinal anesthesia was used in 4 patients. Renal function tests were stable in all of the patients and we did not observe any acute rejection. The mean birth weight was 1945 ± 689 gr. There were 7 premature and 7 low birth weight among 11 newborns.

CONCLUSION:

General and regional anesthesia can be safely used during cesarean delivery of the RTRs without increased risk of graft loses. Prematurity and low birth weight was mainly due to the cytotoxic drugs for immunosuppression. Perioperative management of RTRs should be handled by a team including anesthesiologists.