Kidney Transplantation
Kidney transplantation is a surgical treatment for people with advanced or end-stage kidney failure. During the procedure, a healthy kidney from a living or deceased donor is placed in the recipient’s body to take over the essential function of filtering waste and excess fluid from the blood. A transplant is a treatment for kidney failure, not a permanent cure, and requires lifelong medical follow-up and anti-rejection medication.
Who May Need a Kidney Transplant?
A kidney transplant may be considered for people whose kidneys have severely reduced function and who may otherwise require long-term dialysis. Eligibility depends on overall health, medical history, kidney function, and a detailed evaluation by a transplant team. Testing may include blood tests, heart and organ assessments, and donor-recipient compatibility testing.
Kidney Transplant Procedure
The transplant team evaluates both the recipient and, when applicable, a living donor. During surgery, the donor kidney is connected to blood vessels and the bladder so it can begin filtering blood and producing urine. Existing kidneys are usually left in place unless there is a specific medical reason to remove them.
Recovery and Aftercare
Recovery involves hospital care, regular blood tests, follow-up appointments, and carefully prescribed immunosuppressant medicines to reduce the risk of transplant rejection. Patients may also need dietary guidance and lifestyle adjustments as part of long-term transplant care.