AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL RENAL TRANSPLANTATION SURVEY THIRD REPORT BY A SUBCOMMITTEE

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Abstract
The entire renal transplant experience in Australia and New Zealand is reviewed. Between 1963 and October 31, 1973, 1,290 patients with end‐stage renal failure were treated by dialysis and transplantation. Most patients (1,109, 86%) were between the ages of 16 and 50 years. Glomerulonephritis (48%), congenital conditions (14%), pyelonephritis (12%) and toxic nephropathy (12%) were the common causes of renal failure. Of the 1,290 patients who received grafts, 843 (65%) survive, 730 (57%) with functioning grafts. Mean duration of survival is almost three years. Kidneys for transplantation were cadaveric in origin except on 26 occasions when living volunteers provided kidneys. Of these grafts, 15 (58%) were successful. With cadaveric donor kidneys successful function at two years was observed in 51% of grafts, with attrition of 3% per year thereafter. One hundred and thirty‐nine patients had secondary grafts, 74 (53%) successfully. The success rate for patients with first or subsequent grafts was approximately 50% at five years. Of patients who received successful grafts, the greater majoritiy (80%) were fully rehabilitated to work or household duties. Major reasons for failure were rejection and infection and other complications of immunosuppressive drugs. The incidence of malignant tumour development in transplant recipients is currently 4·7%.

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