Pre-emptive renal transplantation: optimum treatment for end-stage renal disease?

ABSTRACT

Renal transplantation (RT) prior to having dialysis or pre-emptive renal transplantation (PRT) has been controversial because of the paucity of clinical evidence to clarify the benefits and risks of PRT. The recent emergence of evidences from major transplant centres in the United Kingdom and United States have confirmed the survival advantages for both renal allografts and RT recipients. Hence an increasing number of transplant centres are adopting the practice of PRT. This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of PRT and highlights the clinical evidences in support of PRT.