Living donor kidney transplantation in a patient with inherited skin fragility disorder in a resource-limited setting: a case report
Journal
Journal of Surgical Case Reports
Date Issued
2025-11-29
Author(s)
Dohchev, Sasho
Trifunovski, Aleksandar
Trajkovski, Dimitar
Janchulev, Josif
DOI
10.1093/jscr/rjaf984
Abstract
Kidney transplantation in individuals with congenital skin fragility diseases is exceedingly uncommon due to perioperative concerns such as compromised wound healing, respiratory complications, and issues with vascular access. Herein, we report a case of successful living-donor kidney transplantation in a 37-year-old male with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa and end-stage renal disease. Multidisciplinary planning, customized anesthesia, and protective intraoperative measures are essential to avoid these problems. Epidural anesthesia combined with mild sedation facilitated surgery without the need for airway instrumentation, while meticulous handling maintained skin integrity. The operation and recovery were unremarkable, and the graft function was maintained at 12 months. This case demonstrates that complex transplantation is achievable in environments with limited resources, through personalized perioperative treatment and interdisciplinary cooperation.