More options for pain relief and complication reduction for kidney transplant patients

(Dan Tri) - Many solutions to apply science to medical examination and treatment practices were presented at the 2025 Youth Science and Technology Conference, 103 Military Hospital.

Burden of eye damage in patients with renal failure

Ocular injury is a concern in patients with renal failure/waiting for kidney transplantation.

This is the information presented by Dr. Bui Duc Nam, Department of Ophthalmology, Military Hospital 103, representing the research team at the 2025 Youth Science and Technology Conference held on September 10. This year's conference has the theme "Hospital Youth pioneering scientific research, developing techniques, improving the quality of treatment and training".

Kidney transplantation is the most effective and economical treatment for end-stage renal disease. Patients who are candidates for kidney transplantation should have a comprehensive examination, including eye examination before and after transplantation to detect and monitor related injuries.

The Department's research team - Department of Ophthalmology conducted a field survey of 111 patients to evaluate ocular surface damage (especially dry eye) in the population waiting for kidney transplant.

The study aimed to determine the rate of ocular surface lesions (dry eye, conjunctival-corneal calcification) and cataracts in patients awaiting kidney transplantation; analyze the relationship between ocular manifestations and pre-transplant systemic status.

The results showed that dry eye was common (64% abnormal), with mild to moderate tear film disorders being the majority. Factors causing damage to the ocular surface of patients before kidney transplantation could be old age, prolonged disease/treatment, increased urea/creatinine and renal replacement therapy.

Major General, Associate Professor, Dr. Luong Cong Thuc, Director of Military Hospital 103 (Photo: Provided by the hospital).

Speaking at the conference, Major General, Associate Professor, Dr. Luong Cong Thuc, Director of Military Hospital 103 emphasized: "The hospital focuses on new scientific research directions with high applicability in medical examination and treatment.

The conference is both an intellectual playground for young doctors and an important platform for developing research ideas and applying science to practice...".

Many ideas in improving the quality of treatment

Postoperative pain management is also important to ensure the success of a kidney transplant. Postoperative pain in kidney transplant patients is usually moderate to severe, and the use of postoperative pain medications can adversely affect the function of the transplanted kidney.

The research team of the Department of Anesthesiology, Military Hospital 103 evaluated the analgesic effect of the mixture of bupivacaine and fentanyl using patient-controlled epidural analgesia after kidney transplant surgery.

Combining two drugs bupivacaine 0.1% and fentanyl 1µg/ml to relieve pain in patients, self-controlled epidural line in the first 72 hours on 50 patients after kidney transplant surgery, the research team concluded:

Patient-controlled epidural bupivacaine-fentanyl combination is effective in relieving pain after kidney transplantation.

In particular, pain relief after kidney transplant surgery by this method has little effect on some circulatory and respiratory parameters and causes few unwanted side effects.

At this conference, 45 scientific reports were presented by doctors, discussing specialized knowledge and practical experience in Internal Medicine, Surgery, and Paraclinical fields. Many studies were highly appreciated by the judging panel and awarded prizes.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/them-nhieu-phuong-an-giam-dau-giam-bien-chung-cho-benh-nhan-ghep-than-20250910161406106.htm