American journal of transplantation : official journal of the American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons
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Comparative Study
Superior long-term results of simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation from pediatric donors.
The shortage of cadaveric donors for simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation has prompted the use of cadaveric organs from pediatric donors. The long-term outcome and its impact on overall long-term survival are unknown. A total of 680 recipients receiving cadaver Simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplantation from pediatric and adult donors between July 1986 and September 2001 were analyzed and compared. ⋯ When recipients of SPK from pediatric donors were stratified according to age (3-11 years and 12-17 years) and compared, no difference in kidney or pancreas graft survival was observed (kidney 76.4% vs. 81.3%, p = 0.15; pancreas 75% vs. 76%, p = 0.10, respectively). Pediatric donors represent a valuable source of organs, providing excellent short- and long-term outcomes. Wide utilization of pediatric organs will substantially increase the donor pool.