Kidney transplantation in Jerusalem, 1972-89. Kidney Transplant Group

The results of a small transplant program over 18 years are presented. Two hundred and fifty-six transplantations including 36 living donor transplants were performed in 203 patients. Graft survival at 1, 3, 5 and 10 years without and with cyclosporin A treatment was 57%, 49%, 44%, 38%, and 71%, 69%, 58%, -% (respectively). Patient survival was 83%, 67%, 62%, 54%, and 92%, 90%, 68%, -% (respectively). Recent results with cyclosporin A treatment have shown further improvement. Analysis using the COX model shows that age under 30 years, lack of systemic disease, and the use of cyclosporin A and living donors all improved patient survival. More than 10- and 5-year survival was achieved in 78 and 103 patients, respectively, of whom 53 and 81 have good graft function. Local transplant policy and patient material are discussed.