Combined liver and kidney transplantation

Patients with end-stage renal and hepatic failure may be treated with combined liver and kidney transplantation (CLKTx). We reviewed the indications and outcomes of 16 CLKTx performed at the University of Minnesota between 1980 and 1994. The majority of the recipients (87.5%) were young patients affected by congenital hepatic anomalies and concomitant end-stage renal failure. Fourteen were treated with cyclosporin-based immunosuppression and had an excellent outcome: with an average of 6 years of follow-up, patient survival was 85.7%, liver graft survival 85.7%, and kidney graft survival 72%. The incidence of rejection episodes was similar to the rate of rejection in our solitary kidney and liver transplants. In conclusion, our experience supports the value of CLKTx in treating patients with simultaneous failure of both organs or with congenital enzymatic hepatic deficits leading to renal failure.