Canterbury part of NZ’s first kidney exchange

Canterbury part of NZ’s first kidney exchange

The Canterbury DHB has played a key role in New Zealand’s first three way kidney transplant exchange this month.

Dr Nick Cross, Clinical Director National Renal Transplant Service and Christchurch Hospital nephrologist says kidney exchange is an exciting new approach in kidney transplant.

The exchange involved six patients and five surgeons in two of the three kidney transplant centres, and is a way of solving the issue of people who want to donate a kidney to a friend or loved one but may be unable to because of tissue compatibility issues.

“It allows a possible donor and a recipient to be matched with another possible donor and a recipient, creating a transplant exchange,” Dr Cross says.

Dr Cross says kidney exchange is particularly demanding for the public health system in New Zealand as it relies on close collaboration between DHBs which may be geographically far apart, and often rescheduling to align multiple surgical and medical teams.

“These kidney transplants are very valuable as often patients in the exchange are particularly difficult to find a donor for.”

Dr Cross says kidney transplantation is incredibly good treatment for many people with end stage kidney disease, and in NZ we are limited by donor availability.

He says becoming a live kidney donor is an exceptionally selfless act.

“It involves substantial sacrifice of time, a moderate sized operation with associated pain and recovery time, and a small but definite risk of a bad outcome for the donor.

“Live kidney donors are heroic individuals, and are deserving of our admiration.”

Dr Cross says New Zealand is fortunate to have a significant number of non-directed donors each year – usually around 10% of live donors.

“This is high, and reflects kiwi’s generous nature, and keenness to help each other.”

The National Renal Transplant Leadership Team (NRTLT), chaired by Dr Cross, is a collaboration across DHBs including doctors, surgeons, transplant coordinators and administrators who have been working together closely over the past two years, with support from the Ministry of Health to increase opportunities for transplant for New Zealanders.

“There has been a steady increase in live donor and deceased donor kidney transplants in that time, attributable to lots of cooperation and hard work between and within DHBs to improve processes for recipients and donors. Both 2014 and 2015 were record years and DHBs have been busy this year too,” Dr Cross says.

“I am very grateful to Organ Donation New Zealand (ODNZ), in collaboration with intensive care staff in DHBs around the country who continue to provide excellent care for deceased donors and their families. ODNZ are also key players in kidney exchange, providing expert assistance with logistics, packaging and delivery of live donor kidneys between hospitals for exchanges.”

If you would like to learn more about live donation check out the Kidney Health New Zealand and Live Kidney Donation Aotearoa websites.

Kidney Transplants by Calendar Year and Donor Type (all of NZ)

Year Deceased Donor Live Donor
2015 73 74
2014 66 72
2013 57 59
2012 54 54
2011 61 57
2010 50 60

ENDS

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