Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is an effective bridge to kidney transplantation: Results from a single center

Body mass index (BMI) > 35-40 kg/m² is often a contraindication, while Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is performed to enable kidney transplantation. This single-center retrospective study evaluated pre- and post-transplant outcomes of 31 morbidly obese patients with end-stage renal disease having RYGB before kidney transplantation between July 2009 and June 2014. Fourteen RYGB patients were subsequently transplanted. Nineteen recipients not having GB with a BMI ≥ 36 kg/m² at transplantation were used as historical controls. Mean BMI (±SE) before RYGB was 43.5 ± 0.7 kg/m² (range: 35.4-50.5 kg/m²); 87.1% (27/31) achieved a BMI < 35 kg/m². The percentage having improved diabetes/hypertension control was 29.0% (9/31); 25.8% (8/31) had complications (mostly minor) after RYGB. Among transplanted patients, blacks/Hispanics comprised 78.6% (11/14) and 84.2% (16/19) of RYGB and controls; 57.1% (8/14) and 63.2% (12/19) had a (mostly long-standing) pretransplant history of diabetes. While biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR) occurred significantly higher among RYGB vs control patients (6/14 vs 3/19, P =.03), patients developing T-cell BPAR were also significantly more likely to have a tacrolimus (TAC) trough level < 4.0 ng/mL within 3 weeks of T-cell BPAR (P =.0007). In Cox's model, the impact of having a TAC level < 4.0 ng/mg remained significant (P =.007) while the effect of RYGB was no longer significant (P =.13). Infections, graft, and patient survival were not significantly different. Despite obvious effectiveness in achieving weight loss, RYGB will need more careful post-transplant monitoring given the observed higher BPAR rate.