The first successful cadaveric kidney transplantation in Poland was performed in Warsaw in January 1966. This was followed by some attempts in other centers, which however were abandoned very soon and the program until the eighties was continued in Warsaw only. During "heroic" years up to 1976, some 80 cadaver (10-12 per year) and several living related donor kidney transplantation were performed. The results were encouraging but not really dazzling. Since 1977 the number of kidney transplantations slowly increased to 40-46 per year to increase faster after 1982.This was due to revival of transplantation programs in other centers and increased number of the procedures in Warsaw.

Keywords: Transplantation, Kidney