[Kidney transplant program facilitated by airlift between the Netherlands Antilles and the Netherlands; 1998-2001]

To describe the results of a structured kidney-transplantation programme available to dialysis patients in Curaçao (Dutch Caribbean), involving transplantation in the Netherlands and follow-up in Curaçao.

Descriptive.

In 1998, a joint venture was begun with the Academic Medical Center (AMC) in Amsterdam, the Eurotransplant Foundation, the Dutch Transplantation Working Party and the Diagnostic Division of the Sanquin Foundation in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Its aim was to achieve a structural kidney transplantation programme for patients in the Dutch Caribbean in general and patients in Curaçao in particular. An airlift programme between Curaçao and the AMC was instituted.

Between 1998-2001 19 patients underwent a kidney transplant, three of which failed. In most of the transplants the cold ischaemia time was less than 48 hours; the average cold ischaemia time was 32 hours. All patients returned to the Antilles within 3 months where their treatment was continued. Post-transplantation follow-up was on average 13.9 months (limits 3-36); three patients died.