| [ Summary ] |
The outcome of kidney transplantation procedures has recently improved due to the introduction of new immunosuppressive drugs and the development of complication management techniques. The number of kidney transplants has increased, accompanied by high success rates. A total of 1,605 transplants including 1,412 from living donors and 193 from deceased donors were performed in 2012 in Japan. The indications for transplantation have also expanded in terms of ABO incompatibility, spouse donors, preemptive transplants, original diseases, such as diabetes or SLE, as well as elderly patients. An increase in the number of deceased kidney donors is now essential for kidney transplantation in Japan. |