Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Is an Effective Bridge to Kidney Transplantation: Results from a Single Center
Ian A. Thomas, Junichiro J. Gaynor, Tiffany Joseph, Nestor de la Cruz-Muñoz, Junichiro Sageshima, Warren Kupin, Linda J. Chen, Gaetano Ciancio, George W. Burke III, Alessia D. Mattiazzi, David Roth, Giselle Guerra
- Many patients with severe obesity and kidney failure cannot receive a transplant until they lose enough weight to meet BMI requirements. This study showed gastric bypass can safely help patients qualify for transplant.
- Patients successfully lost weight, qualified for transplant listing, and went on to receive kidney transplants with successful outcomes.
- Dr. de la Cruz-Muñoz performed the bariatric procedures, collaborating with the University of Miami's kidney transplant team.
- This study is part of a broader body of work demonstrating expertise in bariatric surgery for patients with advanced kidney disease, including a companion study on peritoneal dialysis patients.
- The concept of bariatric surgery as a bridge to transplant has gained significant traction, with 2023 ASMBS/IFSO Guidelines now addressing this pathway.
- For patients told they are too heavy for a kidney transplant, this study offers hope through bariatric surgery.
This study published in Clinical Transplantation evaluated the effectiveness of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass as a bridge to kidney transplantation in patients with obesity and end-stage renal disease who were otherwise ineligible for transplant due to elevated BMI. This single-center study analyzed outcomes in patients who underwent gastric bypass specifically to achieve the weight loss necessary to qualify for transplant listing, demonstrating effective weight loss with acceptable complication rates and successful subsequent transplantation. Dr. de la Cruz-Muñoz performed the bariatric surgical procedures and is a co-author.
Thomas IA, Gaynor JJ, Joseph T, De La Cruz-Muñoz N, Sageshima J, Kupin W, Chen LJ, Ciancio G, Burke GW III, Mattiazzi AD, Roth D, Guerra G. Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Is an Effective Bridge to Kidney Transplantation: Results from a Single Center. Clinical Transplantation. 2018;32(5):e13232. doi:10.1111/ctr.13232.
