A case of successful kidney transplantation after an extremely long-term maintenance haemodialysis of 38 years

We describe herein a case of kidney transplantation after extremely long-term haemodialysis. A 66-year-old male received a kidney transplant from a deceased donor after maintenance haemodialysis for 38 years and 2 months. In spite of long-term haemodialysis, he showed minimal calcification of the iliac vessels, and transplantation was carried out successfully. Other than some difficulties in vesical rehabilitation, his postoperative course was favourable and he was finally discharged from the hospital on the 84th postoperative day. On a review of the literature, this case might represent the longest period of haemodialysis ever prior to kidney transplantation in the world.