Immunological induction with thymoglobulin: reduction in the number of doses in renal transplant from deceased donor.

Objective: To compare three different regimens of thymoglobulin induction.

Methods: One hundred seventy two patients submitted to renal transplantation from a dead donor were divided into three groups according to the total number of thymoglobulin doses used in the post-transplantation surgery: Group 1, until 14 doses - May 2002 to June 2004 (n = 48); Group 2, until 7 doses - July 2004 to December 2006 (n = 57); Group 3, until 4 doses - January 2007 to July 2009 (n = 67). The three groups were compared according to the main outcomes.