Urology Session
AB017. SOH26AB_0351. Sentinel skin flap vascularised composite allotransplant for real-time immunomonitoring in renal transplant recipients: an acceptability study
Cian Hehir1, Linda Kelly2, Iulia Marinescu3, Darragh O’Donoghue1, Eva Doherty4, Ian Robertson5, Declan DeFreitas5, Roisin Dolan6,7
1Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland;
2Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland;
3Tissue Engineering Research Group (TERG), Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland;
4Department of Surgical Affairs, University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland;
5Department of Transplant Urology Nephrology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland;
6Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, St. Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland;
7School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
Background: Timely diagnosis of immunological rejection remains a significant challenge in solid organ transplantation (SOT). Sentinel skin flap (SSF), a form of vascularised composite allotransplant (VCA), is being trialled as a means of monitoring for immunological rejection episodes in SOT recipients. Patient views surrounding this emerging modality remain underexplored. The aim of the study was to determine the acceptability of SSFs.
Methods: This study prospectively enrolled patients who are currently awaiting, or who have received, a kidney transplant. Following education on SSF, a doctor-delivered questionnaire was employed. Likert scale items were transformed into a two-factor model: acceptance and willingness/reassurance and empowerment. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to identify latent constructs. Regression analyses assessed associations between demographic/clinical predictors and patient-reported outcomes.
Results: A total of n=100 kidney transplant patients were enrolled. Thirty-three respondents had previously undergone kidney transplantation. Overall, patients expressed positive views toward SSF. The two-factor model was moderately correlated (r=0.50, P<0.001). A negative correlation was observed between time since transplant and reassurance and empowerment (r=−0.40, P=0.02). Conversely, longer time spent on the transplant waiting list was associated with lower ratings of reassurance and empowerment (r=−0.25, P=0.01). Thematic analysis identified three main topics: ‘the importance of identifying graft rejection early’, ‘SSF size and position’, and ‘patient involvement in the community’.
Conclusions: SSF transplantation demonstrates high levels of patient acceptability among renal transplant patients.
Keywords: Sentinel skin flap (SSF); vascularised composite allotransplantation; transplantation; patient preference; patient and public involvement
Acknowledgments
None.
Funding: None.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Ethical Statement: The authors are accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.
Open Access Statement: This is an Open Access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), which permits the non-commercial replication and distribution of the article with the strict proviso that no changes or edits are made and the original work is properly cited (including links to both the formal publication through the relevant DOI and the license). See: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.
doi: 10.21037/map-26-ab017
Cite this abstract as: Hehir C, Kelly L, Marinescu I, O’Donoghue D, Doherty E, Robertson I, DeFreitas D, Dolan R. AB017. SOH26AB_0351. Sentinel skin flap vascularised composite allotransplant for real-time immunomonitoring in renal transplant recipients: an acceptability study. Mesentery Peritoneum 2026;10:AB017.
