[Bilateral stage nephrectomy as a preparation for kidney transplantation]

The indication for nephrectomy prior to kidney transplantation has changed. Contrary to the formerly in nearly all transplantation centres practiced one-time two-sided nephrectomy, at present the removal of the patient's own kidneys prior to transplantation is done only if strictly indicated. In contrast to other transplantation centres which, if indicated, still today carry out bilateral nephrectomy prior to transplantation is done only if strictly indicated. In contrast to other transplantation centres which, if indicated, still today carry out bilateral nephrectomy prior to transplantation, since 1977 the transplantation centre of Munich prefers the two-time bilateral nephrectomy. Technique, surgical approach, indication and results of our method are presented. In the course of the discussion the disadvantages of the one-time bilateral nephrectomy are opposed to the advantages of the two-time method.