[Favourable results of the first 2 years of the Dutch paired, living donor, kidney exchange programme].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the results of the paired, living donor, kidney exchange protocol in the Netherlands.


METHODS
Descriptive.


METHODS
In January 2004, all 7 Dutch kidney transplantation centres implemented a paired, living donor, kidney exchange protocol for donor-recipient combinations in which direct kidney transplantation is not possible. The Dutch Transplantation Foundation is responsible for the allocation, in which new donor-recipient combinations are created in accordance with four allocation criteria: blood group, match probability, time on the waiting list, and age difference between the donors. The results of the first 2 years of this programme have now been assessed.


RESULTS
From January 2004 until December 2005, the national programme registered a total of 116 donor-recipient combinations, including 62 blood type incompatible pairs and 54 positive cross-match pairs. In 8 matching procedures, 58 newly created donor-recipient combinations had negative cross matches. 49 patients (42%) were transplanted.


CONCLUSIONS
The Dutch living donor exchange programme for kidney transplantation appears to be very successful, with 42% effective transplantations in the first 2 years.
de Klerk
M
M
Erasmus MC, afd. Inwendige Geneeskunde, sectie Transplantatie, Kamer D 408, Postbus 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam. marry.deklerk@erasmusmc.nl
Haase-Kromwijk
B J J M
BJ
Witvliet
M
M
Claas
F H J
FH
Weimar
W
W
D006648:Histocompatibility; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D019520:Living Donors; D009426:Netherlands; D040841:Resource Allocation / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014019:Tissue Donors; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement / Q000379:methods*