[Geographic disparities in organ transplantation in Brazil]

This study focuses on organ transplantation in Brazilian States in the years 2004, 2005, and 2006. Average waiting times were estimated by queueing theory models. We found that average waiting time for transplantation decreased for cornea and pancreas, increased for liver, heart, and kidney/pancreas, and varied erratically for kidney and lung. We also detected broad disparities in waiting times between States. Mean waiting time was shortest in the States of South, Southeast, and Midwest Brazil. These same States also showed the highest transplantation rates in the country.