SUMMARY Erosive osteoarthritis of the hands of unusually early onset and severity was seen in two patients treated for chronic renal failure by long term haemodialysis and renal homograft respectively. The significance of this observation is discussed in the light of previous studies of erosive arthropathy in patients with chronic renal failure. Factors associated with chronic renal failure may predispose to the development of erosive osteoarthritis.

The prevalence ofgrade III or IV osteoarthritis was detennined in 210 patients with chronic renal failure, of whom 94 were receiving chronic haemodialysis and 116 had functioning renal transplants. The prevalence of grade III or IV osteoarthritis was three times greater in patients under 65 than in a control population, and all but two affected patients also had erosion of subchondral bone in at least one affected joint.

A case of inadvertent transection of the renal pelvis by the Endocatch bag during laparoscopic donor nephrectomy is reported. This is the second reported injury resulting from the Endocatch bag. We have successfully managed the injury with continuing good renal function after 3 years. The aim of this report is to increase the awareness of this potential complication and how it can be prevented.