Small center kidney transplantation.

We herein present the results of our first 100 kidney transplants. The 1-year patient and graft survivals were 94 and 74 per cent, respectively, for living related grafts, and 85 and 57 per cent, respectively, for cadaver grafts. These results compare favorably to the recent standards set by the American Society of Transplant Surgeons Standards Committee (95.1, 78.6, 88.6 and 55 per cent). Initial hospitalization averaged 21 plus or minus 7 days, while hospitalization during the first year after transplantation averaged 35 plus or minus 21 days. Average expenses (Medicare reimbursed) during the first 12 months after kidney placement were $29,572 plus or minus $6,468 for 15 successive patients. A total of 22 complications occurred within 1 year of transplantation and 11 required surgical management. Of 24 patients who survived 1 year with loss of graft function 15 (62 per cent) required transplant nephrectomy. Causes of death and types of complications are presented. Our results suggest that high quality kidney transplantation may be available to patients in small transplant centers.