Long-term follow-up of renal transplantation for Wegener's disease

Eight patients with end-stage renal failure due to Wegener's granulomatosis underwent renal transplantation at the University of Minnesota. Seven patients were alive with a functioning graft 40 to 128 months posttransplant (mean follow-up: 91 months). One patient died 126 months posttransplant with a well-functioning graft. Posttransplant immunosuppression controlled primary disease in all but 1 patient, who presented with perisinusitis. Recurrent disease was not noted in any of the transplanted organs. We conclude that transplantation is an excellent treatment for renal failure secondary to Wegener's disease.