Kidney Transplantation
Kidney transplantation is a surgical treatment for people with kidney failure in which a healthy kidney from a living or deceased donor is placed into the recipient’s body. The transplanted kidney can take over essential functions such as filtering waste and producing urine.
Who May Need a Kidney Transplant?
Kidney transplantation may be considered for eligible patients with end-stage kidney disease or advanced kidney failure. A transplant team evaluates overall health, kidney function, blood tests, heart health, donor compatibility and other factors before determining whether transplantation is appropriate.
Living and Deceased Donor Transplants
A kidney may come from a living donor, such as a medically suitable relative or friend, or from a deceased donor. Living-donor transplantation can sometimes be scheduled in advance, while deceased-donor transplantation generally involves waiting for a suitable organ.
Kidney Transplant Procedure and Recovery
During surgery, the donor kidney is connected to blood vessels and the urinary system. The original kidneys usually remain in place unless there is a specific medical reason to remove them. Recovery involves hospital care, regular blood tests and ongoing follow-up with the transplant team.
Life After Kidney Transplant
Patients need lifelong medical monitoring and anti-rejection medicines (immunosuppressants) to reduce the risk of transplant rejection. These medicines can increase susceptibility to infections and may have other side effects, making regular follow-up important.