Publication:

Preemptive kidney transplant: indication, outcome and complications

Dialysis and kidney transplantation are the only available management approaches for these patients. Estimates show that the survival rates and quality of life are significantly higher for patients that receive kidney transplantation than others with dialysis. In addition, the effectiveness of preemptive kidney transplantation was well-evidenced in the literature. It had been further demonstrated that performing preemptive kidney transplantation significantly reduces the complications of renal transplantation and dialysis and was incredibly cost-effective when compared to dialysis. Furthermore, evidence regarding its effectiveness was well-established among studies in the literature as a safe primary management approach for patients suffering from end-stage kidney disease. This literature review discussed preemptive kidney transplantation's indications, outcomes and complications. Our findings indicated the efficacy of the approach for patients suffering from end-stage kidney disease. However, the appropriate selection of the patients was a critical issue. Besides, serious efforts should be exerted to prepare the patient perioperatively. Nevertheless, kidney functions were reported to increase following preemptive kidney transplantation. Graft rejection and delayed graft functions were also reported to follow preemptive kidney transplantation. However, the estimated rates are lower than those for patients having transplantation following the start of dialysis. We encourage further relevant investigations to further elaborate on the long-term findings, prognosis, and complications.