[Comparison of kidney transplantation with and without regard to HLA typing]

To compare the functional results after transplantation of locally obtained and assigned kidneys (without taking into account HLA typing) with those after transplantation of kidneys obtained via Eurotransplant (with HLA typing as principal criterion for assignment).

Between December 1983 and December 1993 a total of 236 kidneys were transplanted into 234 patients, 40 kidneys having been obtained via Eurotransplant and 196 removed locally and transplanted directly into patients on the local waiting list according to strict criteria: same blood group; waiting time since decision on transplantation; negative current crossmatch between recipient's serum and donor lymphocytes. Transplantation results were analysed retrospectively according to: ischaemia time, HLA mismatch, postoperative renal failure, postoperative renal function, rejection rate and transplant survival. Mean observation period was 55 months for the local and 50 months for the Eurotransplant kidneys.

The number of HLA matches was higher in Eurotransplant group (P < 0.001). However, the cold ischaemia time was greater for this group (20.2 vs 15.7 hours; P < 0.01). Acute renal failure was less common with locally assigned kidneys (33 vs 53%: P < 0.02). There were no significant differences with regard to one-year and five-year renal function (serum creatinine; percentage of normal): 90.2% local vs 88.3% Eurotransplant and 81.8% vs 62.3%, respectively). Survival rates were also similar (96.9% local vs 95% Eurotransplant after one year, 94.4% vs 90% after 5 years).

Local assignment by waiting time and blood group gave results that were similar to those via Eurotransplant based on HLA typing criteria.