Does selective sympathetic block in live donor affect renal resistivity index and urine output in recipient kidney?

Rationale The intrarenal resistive index (RI) is routinely measured in many renal transplantation centers for assessment of postoperative renal function. The present study dealt with the effect of chemical sympatholytics by blocking the sympathetic supply to the kidney on urine output and renal RI. Patients and methods A total of 50 patients were enrolled in this prospective, randomized study. The donors were divided into two groups: group P in which Papavarine was infiltrated by surgeon under complete aseptic technique around the renal artery and the other group (group B) in which bupivacaine was infiltrated by surgeon under complete aseptic technique around the renal vessels. Urine output was monitored and calculated over 6 h from renal transplantation. Renal RI was recorded over 6 h after transplantation of live donor kidney. Results There was significant increase in the urine output collected over 6 h postoperative in the Bupivacaine group (1115.2 ml) (P = 0.0001) in comparison with the Papavarine group (823.6 ml). There was a significant decrease in renal arterial RI of the Papaverine group (0.66) (P 0.0001) compared with the Bupivacaine group (0.79). Conclusion Bupivacaine injection around the renal vessels in donor might be of benefit for recipient transplanted kidney to improve urine output.