Selection of hemodialysis versus cadaveric transplantation.

The records of 272 recipients of cadaver allografts and of 650 dialyzed patients (440 center dialysis and 210 home dialysis) were reviewed in an attempt to determine whether hemodialysis or transplantation is the best treatment for end-stage renal failure. Home dialysis patient survival is slightly better than that of cadaver kidney recipients and far better than center dialysis patient survival. When considering the quality of life assumed by the degree of social and professional rehabilitation, cadaver kidney transplantation appears the optimal choice. Finally, the life expectancy of a patient is higher if he embarks upon an integrated program where hemodialysis is a complementary adjunct to cadaver kidney transplantation.