Renal transplantation.

Kidney transplantation is now a very acceptable form of treatment of end-stage renal failure. About 50% of kidney grafts are still functioning after five years. If the kidney graft fails, and failure is usually due to rejection, patients are returned to dialysis for definitive treatment or to await another transplant. Although kidneys from living related donors offer the best chance of success, most kidneys in Australia are transplanted from cadavers. A shortage of cadaver kidneys necessitates a wait of 6 to 12 months for a transplant.