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Updated: Jan 24, 2026
Normothermic Ex Vivo Kidney Perfusion for the Preservation of Kidney Grafts prior to Transplantation
Published on: July 15, 2015
[Evaluation of single kidney graft outcome in patients initially programmed for a dual kidney graft transplantation]
Introduction:
Kidney transplantation is championed as the gold standard treatment for patients with end-stage kidney disease. According to the biomedical agency, there is an increasing number of patients waiting for kidney transplantation. Faced with organ shortage, the use of marginal grafts may well increase the number of available kidney grafts. Occasionally, during dual kidney graft transplantation, the poor quality of one of the two grafts, or other specific circumstances, may lead to transplantation of only one of the two grafts. We have compared patient outcome concerning single kidney transplantation from an initial dual kidney graft with respect to dual kidney graft transplantation.
Material:
Among 67 patients enrolled for a dual kidney graft, 39 dual kidney grafts (group 1) were compared with 12 grafts performed with only one of the two kidneys of a dual kidney graft (group 2) as well as 15 grafts performed following a classic kidney graft protocol (group 3).
Results:
The survival of grafts was respectively for groups 1, 2 and 3 of 100%, 72,5% and 75,4% (P=0.17). The survival of patients was respectively for groups 1, 2 and 3 of 78.3%, 89.9% and 87.8% (P=0.47).
Conclusion:
Our study suggests that transplantation of a single kidney, initially proposed as dual kidney graft candidate, has satisfying results in terms of graft survival and patient mortality at the expense of poorer renal function in comparison to dual kidney graft. Indeed, there was no significant difference in the survival of patients and grafts. This seems promising taking into consideration that the aim of transplantation in elderly recipients is primarily to avoid dialysis, rather than having optimal post-transplantation kidney function.
Level Of Evidence:
4.
Insights
Single kidney transplantation from dual grafts offers comparable patient and graft survival to dual grafts, despite reduced renal function. This approach is a viable option for elderly recipients prioritizing dialysis avoidance.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Transplantation Surgery
- Organ Donation
Background:
- Kidney transplantation is the optimal treatment for end-stage kidney disease.
- Organ shortage necessitates exploring strategies like using marginal grafts.
- Dual kidney grafts are sometimes reduced to single grafts due to graft quality or circumstances.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare patient outcomes of single kidney transplantation from dual grafts versus traditional dual kidney graft transplantation.
- To evaluate graft and patient survival rates in different transplantation scenarios.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 67 patients undergoing kidney transplantation.
- Group 1: 39 dual kidney grafts.
- Group 2: 12 single kidney grafts from dual graft candidates.
- Group 3: 15 standard single kidney grafts.
Main Results:
- Graft survival: Group 1 (100%), Group 2 (72.5%), Group 3 (75.4%). Patient survival: Group 1 (78.3%), Group 2 (89.9%), Group 3 (87.8%).
- No significant difference in patient or graft survival between the groups.
- Single kidney grafts from dual graft candidates showed poorer renal function compared to dual grafts.
Conclusions:
- Transplanting a single kidney from a dual graft candidate yields satisfactory graft and patient survival.
- This strategy is promising for elderly recipients where avoiding dialysis is the primary goal.
- While renal function may be compromised, the overall survival benefits support its consideration.
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