[The second kidney transplantation in Spain]

The first two living donor kidney transplants in our country (isotransplant and homotransplant respectively) were reported in 1961. We reviewed the clinical history of the renal homotransplant performed between father and son, more than half a century ago, by Carlos Younger de la Peña and Ramiro Rivera at "La Paloma' Clinic in Madrid. We comment on the organizational, legal, immunobiological and technical difficulties in those times when the successful future of transplantation was barely in sight. From the XXI Century we can see the long path of renal transplantation during the XX century. Despite all the initial troubles and failures our present must recognize, and so does it, the work and dedication of the pioneers.