Three years of cadaveric renal transplantation

To study patient and graft outcome and donor characteristics in cadaveric renal transplantation.

Fifty nine patients (35 males and 24 females) who underwent cadaveric renal transplantation between Oct'95 and Nov'98 were analysed. The recovery of renal function was correlated with the type and duration of dialysis. The number of rejections, donor characteristics and patient and graft survival was studied.

Fifty nine patients were followed for a mean period of 14.58 months (SD 10.73), their age ranged from 17 to 64 years. Ten patients had primary graft failure, out of which four died and six are on maintenance dialysis. Seven died of other causes. Twelve patients had been on CAPD and 47 were on haemodialysis. Recovery of renal function was earlier in the haemodialysis group (mean 19.29 days SD 16.97) than in the CAPD group (31.6 days SD 32.3 days). But the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.36). The age of the donors ranged from 2 to 72 years (mean 42.8, SD 17.3). Seventeen died of CVA, 16 died of head injury, and one died of sedative overdose. Dual kidney transplant was done in nine patients of whom five have adequate graft function.

Follow up for a mean period of 14.58 months shows patient survival of 81.3% and graft survival 72.8% with no significant difference in recovery of renal function between CAPD and HD groups. Poor results are due to HLA mismatch leading to rejection. The majority of the deaths were related to septicaemia.