Kidney failure is a significant and expensive health problem, but an Auckland City Hospital study may have a better solution for some.
The BEST-Fluids trial found using an intravenous fluid, Plasma-Lyte 148, instead of the usual saline, meant fewer patients require dialysis treatment following a transplant.
That would also free up dialysis units for other patients awaiting treatment.
More than 800 patients (adults and children) in New Zealand and Australia took part in the study over four years.
It's currently being considered at the country's other two hospitals performing kidney transplants - Christchurch and Wellington. Nephrologist Dr Michael Collins and Dr Colin McArthur are two of the researchers behind the work.
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