Low molecular weight heparin prophylaxis increases the incidence of lymphocele after kidney transplantation

Abstract

Lymphocele formation after kidney transplantation has become more frequent at our department after the introduction of routine thromboembolic prophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). A consecutive series of 130 kidney transplant recipients were included in a retrospective study. Fifty-eight patients received prophylaxis and 72 did not. Other background data between the two patient groups was comparable. Lymphocele was diagnosed by ultrasound. Lymphocele formation was significantly more common (p<0.01) among patients who received LMWH prophylaxis (43%) than patients who did not (20%). There was no increase in bleeding-related complications in the prophylaxis group. An interesting finding was that, in the prophylaxis group, fewer grafts were lost due to vascular complications or early rejection, leading us to conclude that the use of LMWH increases the incidence of lymphocele formation after kidney transplantation, but may also reduce early graft loss due to thrombosis and vascular rejection.