OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical value of color Doppler in monitoring graft flow in patients who underwent simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplantation.

METHODSTotally 18 patients received color Doppler ultrasonography on day 1, 3, and 7 after SPK. Volumes and arteriovenous velocities of the kidney and pancreas grafts were recorded, and resistance index (RI) was calculated.

RESULTSColor Doppler ultrasound clearly displayed the modality, size, and flow of the kidney and pancreas grafts. Compared with the single kidney grafts, the modality, volume, and arteriovenous velocity of kidney grafts in SPK was not significantly different. Although the volume of pancreas graft was remarkably larger than the normal control pancreas early after transplantation, no difference in artery velocity was found between pancreas graft and normal pancreas. The spectrum of the portal vein in pancreas grafts showed the typical spectrum of iliac veins.

CONCLUSIONColor Doppler ultrasound is sensitive in monitoring the graft flow of SPK recipients and can be used to identify postoperative vascular complications and evaluate tissue perfusion.