Improving graft and patient survival rates in renal transplantation.

This report illustrates the improving trend in patient survival of recipients of cadaver and living-related kidneys. Mortality has been less than 3% for living-related recipients and less than 8% at one year for recipients of cadaver kidneys excluding diabetic patients. Although mortality of the diabetic recipient group receiving cadaver kidneys remains a problem, it has decreased in the last year such that overall mortality of the entire diabetic group is 20% at one year. The various factors leading to improved graft function rate are also emphasized.