Dealing with the uncertain and the unexpected: a report on the first kidney transplantations in Aden, Republic of Yemen. 
First kidney transplantations were performed in Aden, Jemen in 2003.  A difficult medical environment and unrehearsed decision-making process in a country of scant resources were the background of this undertaking.  A brief report is given on the medical situation, training and preparedness of the Yemeni medical community for transplant procedures.  Initial impressions of psychological aspects of first-ever organ transplantation in this Islamic country are presented.