[Lymphocele after renal transplantation: case report and bibliographic review].

OBJECTIVE

To report the case and iconography of a lymphocele after renal transplantation and to review the literature about the diagnosis and the treatment of this surgical complication.

METHODS

69 year-old woman status post renal transplantation who presents right lower extremity edema and worsening renal function. A liquid collection was demonstrated by ultrasound and computerized tomography, compatible with lymphocele after biochemical study of the liquid obtained by percutaneous puncture.

RESULTS

The patient underwent laparoscopic intraperitoneal drainage of the lymphocele, with good surgical outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Lymphocele is a common pathology after a renal transplantation which needs to be treated depending on its clinical manifestations. There mainly are two therapeutic alternatives depending on the size of the lymphocele: sclerotherapy and surgical intraperitoneal drainage. Apart from very selected cases, laparoscopic approach is currently considered, because of its security and effectiveness, the first choice when a surgical treatment is prescribed.