Factors Contributing to the Declining Mortality Rate in Renal Transplantation

Abstract

Recent modifications and refinements in the management of patients with renal allografts have diminished the mortality rate at our hospital to 2 per cent and 5 per cent at one year for patients receiving kidneys from related and cadaveric sources, respectively. Of 186 receiving transplants since 1974, seven (4 per cent) have died within one year of operation. The incidence of wound infections has been reduced from approximately 25 per cent in 1972 to 2 per cent since 1976 by the use of a single high dose of broad-spectrum antibiotics administered at the time of induction of anesthesia for any surgical procedure. Risks and limitations of immunosuppression have been better appreciated, ultrasound is used more often in the diagnosis of partial obstruction or perinephric fluid collections, and needle biopsy of the transplanted kidney has reduced the morbidity inherent in open biopsy. The contribution of sepsis as a cause of death has declined. The diminishing hazard of renal transplantation has made it an increasingly attractive treatment for end-stage kidney disease. (N Engl J Med 299:1321–1325, 1978)