Recent results of cadaver kidney retransplantation

The results of secondary cadaver renal transplantation in 42 patients treated from 1980 to 1986 have been reviewed. The initial graft was from a cadaver donor in all cases. All patients were managed with a maintenance immunosuppressive regimen, including either antilymphoblast globulin and/or cyclosporine. The over-all 1 and 2-year patient survival rates were 97 and 94 per cent, respectively. The over-all 1 and 2-year graft survival rates were 69 and 63 per cent, respectively. Graft success was not influenced by patient age greater than 50 years, diabetes, initial graft removal, interval between initial graft removal and retransplantation, duration of initial graft function, level of presensitization or HLA-Dr antigen matching. Currently, cadaver renal retransplantation can be performed safely and with an improved opportunity for graft success. Patients who return to dialysis after losing an allograft should be encouraged to consider another transplant for the same reasons that prompted initial transplantation.