Kidney Transplantation in Iran

Kidney transplantation in patients with end stage renal disease is preferred to dialysis because transplantation provides a better quality of life and improved survival. However, the gap between the supply and demand for a renal allograft is widening and the waiting time is increasing. Iranian protocol, a controlled transplant program supported by the government for living unrelated donors, was initiated for solving the problem of organ shortage. Although this system might experience challenges, clearly it has advantages over other organ procurement systems primarily that thousands in need do not die while waiting for a compatible donor. In the present review I discuss the history of renal transplantation in Iran, "Iranian model" protocol, the situation of Iran’s kidney transplantation from either living or deceased donors compared with the Middle East countries, and our experiences of unrelated renal transplantation.