Postoperative course of patients during hospitalization following renal transplantation

The results presented here are based on a longitudinal study on 33 patients who were first interviewed on dialysis and followed up over the hospitalization period following cadaver renal transplantation. The emotional state of the patients before and after surgery is described, three typical postoperative courses are shown. Possible predictors for the mastering of stressful events in this stage are delineated based on the previous interview on dialysis. The findings confirm that many patients experience substantial strain on dialysis and during their inpatient care after transplantation. Despite this, the predominant feeling of most of the patients in this period is hope. The results stress the importance of psychological assessment prior to transplantation in order to identify patients with psychosocial risk factors. This may enhance adequate preparation for possible strains occurring in transplantation and provide more efficient psychological aids.