Kidney Transplantation

Kidney Transplantation

Kidney transplantation is a major treatment option for people with advanced or end-stage kidney failure. During the procedure, a healthy kidney from a living or deceased donor is surgically placed in the recipient’s body to take over the function of filtering waste and excess fluid from the blood.

Who May Need a Kidney Transplant?

A kidney transplant may be considered when kidney function has become severely reduced and dialysis or other treatments are no longer sufficient. Eligibility depends on overall health, kidney disease, medical history, and a detailed evaluation by a transplant team.

Kidney Transplant Evaluation and Preparation

Before transplantation, patients undergo medical assessments, blood tests, heart and other health evaluations, and donor-recipient compatibility testing. Matching may include blood type and cross-matching to help assess compatibility.

Recovery and Long-Term Care

After kidney transplant surgery, regular medical follow-up and blood tests are essential. Patients generally need lifelong anti-rejection medicines (immunosuppressants) to reduce the risk of transplant rejection. These medicines can increase susceptibility to infections and may have other side effects, so careful monitoring is important.

A kidney transplant is not a guaranteed cure, and outcomes vary between individuals. Your transplant team will explain the potential benefits, risks, medications, recovery process, and long-term care requirements.