Bariatric surgery among kidney transplant candidates and recipients: Analysis of the united states renal data system and literature review

BACKGROUND.: Limited data exist on the safety and efficacy of bariatric surgery (BS) in patients with kidney failure. METHODS.: We examined Medicare billing claims within USRDS registry data (1991-2004) to identify BS cases among renal allograft candidates and recipients. RESULTS.: Of 188 BS cases, 72 were performed pre-listing, 29 on the waitlist, and 87 post-transplant. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass was the most common procedure. Thirty-day mortality after BS performed on the waitlist and post-transplant was 3.5%, and one transplant recipient lost their graft within 30 days after BS. BMI data were available for a subset and suggested median excess body weight loss of 31%-61%. Comparison to published clinical trials of BS in populations without kidney disease indicates comparable weight loss but higher post-BS mortality in the USRDS sample. CONCLUSIONS.: Given the substantial contributions of obesity to excess morbidity and mortality, BS warrants prospective study as a strategy for improving outcomes before and after kidney transplantation.