[Autotransplantation of the kidney. Indications and results]

Renal autotransplantation is an established but rarely used therapy in cases of renal vessel lesions, tumours of the kidney and ureter, long-distance ureter lesions, complex nephrolithiasis and retroperitoneal fibrosis. The indications and results of renal autotransplantation are discussed using three case reports and compared to the literature. In cases of central intrarenal tumours and aneurysms of the kidney, autotransplantation is indispensible in order to save the organ. For long-distance ureter lesions as well as for retroperitoneal fibrosis, autotransplantation of the kidney gives excellent results. In difficult clinical situations ileum segment interposition is an alternative treatment.