[Kidney transplantation, a viable alternative for end-stage kidney failure].

End stage renal disease patients is a serious problem all around the world. The number of patients and the cost of treatment are increasing. Kidney transplantation is the only alternative to solve the problem. In Panama, kidney transplantation is performed since 1990. At the present time 55 living related donors transplantations have been performed. It is necessary to increase the number of transplantations and to begin the cadaveric donor transplant program.