Effect on graft and patient survival between shipped and locally transplanted well-matched cadaveric renal allografts in Australia over a 10-year period

Background:  The national sharing of well-matched cadaveric renal allografts has been established since 1992 in Australia. It remains uncertain whether the shipment of renal allografts interstate has a detrimental effect on graft and patient survival.

Methods:  Using data collected by the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry (ANZDATA), graft and patient survival were compared between shipped (n = 623) and locally transplanted allografts (n = 894) in Australia between January 1992 and December 2001.

Results:  Shipped renal allografts were from younger donors and had a longer ischaemic time, and were transplanted into higher risk recipients. Shipping of allografts had no effect on graft or patient survival, acute rejection at 6 months, presence of delayed graft function and serum creatinine at 6 and 12 months. In addition, human leucocyte antigen-matching and allograft ischaemic time had no effect on graft or patient survival.

Conclusion:  Recipients of either shipped or locally transplanted well-matched renal allografts have similar graft and patient survivals.