Routine splinting of the ureterocystostomy during renal transplantation lowers the urological complication rate but increases patient's morbidity. The number needed to treat to prevent one urological complication is high. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors, which can be used in the implementation of a selective splinting ureterocystostomy protocol. Retrospective analysis of 475 consecutive renal transplantations performed between January 1999 and December 2004. Donor, surgical-technical and recipient factors were assessed. Urological complications occurred in 62 (13%) patients. In 29 of these 62 patients (6.1%), only a temporary percutaneous nephrostomy catheter was necessary and in 33 (6.9%) surgical revision was required. Episodes of acute rejection and delayed graft function were identified as the only independent risk factors for a urological complication: odds ratio 2.62 [95% confidence interval: (CI) 1.38-4.97] and 2.22 (95% CI: 1.14-4.33), respectively. None of the risk factors for urological complications after renal transplantation that are known at the time of performing the ureterocystostomy are useful for the implementation of a selective splinting protocol.