Post transplant renal vein thrombosis, with successful thrombectomy and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION: Renal vein thrombosis post kidney transplant is a rare but graft threatening event. RVT is reported in 0.3-4.2% of kidney transplants. When occurring early post transplant, prior to development of collateral venous outflow, may be catastrophic with loss of the allograft or even death. Anatomic abnormalities or technical problems during surgery are common causes. Early diagnosis and urgent treatment are necessary but often unsuccessful. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report a patient with residual function in a failing allograft who developed RVT in a living donor preemptive kidney transplant. DISCUSSION: We review the literature regarding renal vein thrombosis following kidney transplant. CONCLUSION: Prompt diagnosis and immediate surgicathrombectomy after ex-planting allograft with subsequent re-implanting the allograft was successful.