Kidney transplantation in Erbil, Iraq: a single-center experience

Kidney transplantation is associated with improved quality of life and better survival among patients with end-stage renal disease. The aim of this study is to assess the experience of kidney transplant program in a single center in Erbil, Iraq. The records of 83 pairs, donors and recipients, treated with kidney transplantation at the Zheen Hospital in Erbil, over a two-year period were collected and analyzed. The mean donor age was 28.5 +/- 7.34 years (range 19-49 years) and recipient age was 37.6 +/- 14.9 years (range 12-66 years). The male to female ratio was 6.5:1 among donors and 3.2:1 among recipients. Among the 83 pairs studied, the donors and recipients were genetically related in seven cases (8.5%) and emotionally related in one case (1.2%). Delayed graft function was seen in 3.2% of cases and acute rejection in 5.3% of cases. Graft survival at six months was 88% while patient survival at the same period was 90%. In conclusion, even though experience related to kidney transplantation in Erbil is limited, the reported results are encouraging for a promising future.