# Pediatric kidney transplantation: is it safe to perform during night-time or day-off?

## TL;DR

This study examines whether performing pediatric kidney transplants during night-time or day-off hours affects patient outcomes.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the safety of performing pediatric kidney transplants outside regular working hours.

## Key findings

- Ischemia times were similar across all groups.
- Day-off surgeries had longer operation times and more post-operative bleedings.
- Overall complication rates and graft function were not significantly different.

## Abstract

To investigate the impact of after-hours surgery on the outcomes of pediatric kidney transplantation (KT).

Medical records of pediatric KTs performed at a single institution between 2013 and 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. The population was split into three groups according to the incision time and calendar: ordinary day (8.00 AM – 6.30 PM), day-off, and night-time (6.30 PM – 8.00 AM). The following endpoints were compared: ischemia times, length of surgery, complications, delayed graft function (DGF), primary graft non-function (PGNF), and eGFR at three-month follow-up.

Ninety-six non-living donor KTs were performed, median age 11 (IQR 4.3–14) years and median body weight 26 (IQR 13–50) kg. Forty-one (43%) were performed during night-time and 28 (29%) during day-off. Ischemia times were similar (p = 0.769, p = 0.536). Day-off KTs presented an extended length of surgery (p = 0.011). Thirty-two complications were reported in 31 KTs. No difference in the overall rate of complications, DGF, PNGF, and three-month eGFR was found (p = 0.669, p = 0.383, p = 0.949, p = 0.093). Post-operative bleedings were more common in days-off (p = 0.003).

The number of pediatric KTs performed during after-hours was considerable. Even though similar outcomes were reported, more caution should be focused on the KTs performed in days-off to avoid severe complications.