VARIABLE CONVALESCENCE AND THERAPY AFTER CADAVERIC RENAL-TRANSPLANTATION UNDER CYCLOSPORIN-A AND STEROIDS

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  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 154  (6) , 819-825
Abstract
The postoperative convalescence period was analyzed for 42 consecutive patients who had cadaveric renal transplantation under therapy with cyclosporin A and steroids. Of the patients, 22 underwent transplantation for the 1st time and 20 had retransplantation. None of the recipients died. With a follow-up period of 2-8 mo., the survival rate of grafts is 96% after 1st transplantation and 85% after retransplantation. Immunosuppression with a standard regimen was used for all patients at the ontset. Early convalescence was highly variable, often necessitating adjustments of cyclosporin A and steroid dosage to accommodate the possibilities of rejection or cyclosporin A nephrotoxicity, or both, simultaneously. Management problems were more frequent and complex in patients undergoing retransplantation. A classification of convalescence patterns was evolved, with recommendations about how standardized initial therapy should be adjusted if the renal graft does not function promptly or deteriorates later.