Scintigraphic evaluation of paired renal allografts from the same cadaveric donor

The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of paired grafts in renal recipients from the same cadaveric donor using quantitative Tc-99m DTPA scintigraphy. Fifty recipients from 25 cadaveric donors were followed for a median period of 3 years. Serial Tc-99m DTPA scintigraphy was performed starting on the third posttransplant day and images evaluated quantitatively. The quantitative parameters included Hilson's perfusion index, time to maximum activity, time to half of maximum activity, the ratio of the graft activity at 20 to 3 minutes, and glomerular filtration rate. In the early postoperative period, 20 of 25 paired kidneys showed similar performances. At the end of the first year 22 of 25 pairs showed a similar evolution. At the end of the third year, the number was 21 of 25. We concluded that if cold ischemia time was prudent, there was no difference in graft outcome between the first and the second recipient of a renal transplant from the same cadaveric donor.