Clinical experience with kidney transplantation in patients older than 65 years

Objective:To explore the peculiarities of kidney transplantation in elderly patients and define the perioperative managements. Methods: The clinical data of kidney transplantation in 29 patients older than 65years were reviewed, the eldest being 84 years old and the mean age 68. 1 years. Results: Four episodes of acute rejection (13. 80%) were encountered. FK506 toxicity occurred in one case (3.40%) and lung infection in another (3.40%), who (along with the former 4 patients) all were cured subsequently. In one case, the kidney graft was removed for thrombogenesis of the renal artery. The 1- and 3-year patients/grafts survival of 100% and 96.5% respectively was achieved, with the longest survival exceeding 5 years. Conclusions:Old age was not the absolute contraindication for kidney transplantation. Strict observance of the indications of kidney transplantation and donor selection with well-matched tissue-typing are crucial in elderly patients.Adequate application of immunosuppressants and effective long-term follow-up are also major factors for long-term allograft survival.