[Multiple transplantation of the kidney as a risk factor]

The influence of match, immunological therapy, age of the recipient and sex has been analysed by graft survival in 91 patients receiving a second kidney graft. Effects of these risk factors in first kidney grafts are not demonstrable in second grafts with the exception of cyclosporin which also produces better second graft survival. The main active risk factor for second transplants is endurance of function of the first graft. Function of the first graft over a period exceeding 1 year gives a significantly better second graft survival rate than function lasting less than one year.