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A kidney transplant is surgery to place a healthy kidney into a person with kidney failure.
Alternative NamesRenal transplant; Transplant - kidney
DescriptionKidney transplants are one of the most common transplant operations in the United States.
One donated kidney is needed to replace the work previously done by your kidneys.
The donated kidney may be from:
- Living related donor -- related to the recipient, such as a parent, sibling, or child
- Living unrelated donor -- such as a friend or spouse
- Deceased donor -- a person who has recently died and who has no known chronic kidney disease
The healthy kidney is transported in cool salt water (saline) that preserves the organ for up to 48 hours. This gives the health care providers time to perform tests that match the donor's and recipient's blood and tissue before the operation.
PROCEDURE FOR A LIVING KIDNEY DONOR
If you are donating a kidney, you will be placed under general anesthesia before surgery. This means you will be asleep and pain-free. The procedure used to require a long surgical cut. However, today surgeons can use a short surgical cut (mini-nephrectomy) or laparoscopic techniques. See Kidney removalfor more information.
PROCEDURE FOR THE KIDNEY RECIPIENT
People receiving a kidney transplant are given general anesthesia before surgery. The surgeon makes a cut in the lower belly area.
- Your surgeon places the new kidney inside your lower belly. The artery and vein of the new kidney are connected to the artery and vein in your pelvis. Your blood flows through the new kidney, which makes urine just like your own kidneys did when they were healthy. The tube that carries urine (ureter) is then attached to your bladder.
- Your own kidneys are left in place, unless they are causing high blood pressure, infections, or are too large for your body. The wound is then closed.
Kidney transplant surgery takes about 3 hours. People with Diabetes may also have a pancreas transplant done at the same time. This will usually add another 3 hours to the surgery.
See also: Pancreas transplant
Why the Procedure Is PerformedEnd-stage kidney disease occurs when the kidneys no longer remove wastes and excess fluids, and manage electrolytes (such as sodium and potassium) and minerals. They also no longer make hormones that keep your bones strong and your blood healthy.
As a result, harmful wastes build up in your body. Your blood pressure may rise, and your body may hold on to excess fluid and not make enough red blood cells.
The most common cause of end-stage kidney disease in the U.S. is diabetes. However, there are many other causes of chronic renal failure and end-stage kidney disease.
A kidney transplant may NOT be recommended if you have:
- Certain infections, such as TB or osteomyelitis
- Difficulty taking medications several times each day for the rest of your life
- Heart, lung, or liver disease
- Other life-threatening diseases
- History of cancer
- Infections such as hepatitis that are considered to be active
- Smoking, alcohol or drug abuse, or other risky lifestyle habits
The risks for any anesthesia are:
- Problems breathing
- Reactions to medications
The risks for any surgery are:
- Bleeding
- Infection
Other risks related to the procedure include:
- Blood clots (deep venous thrombosis)
- Heart attack or stroke
- Wound infections
- Side effects from medications used to prevent transplant rejection, including:
- Increased risk for infections
- Damage to your liver or other organs
Once your doctor refers you to a transplant center, you will be seen and evaluated by the transplant team. They will want to make sure that you are a good candidate for kidney transplant. You will have several visits over the course of several weeks or even months. You will need to have blood drawn and x-rays taken.
Tests done before the procedure include:
- Tissue and blood typing to help make sure your body will not reject the donated kidney
- Blood tests or skin tests to check for infections
- Heart tests such as an EKG, echocardiogram, or cardiac catheterization
- Tests to look for early cancer
You will also want to consider one or more transplant centers to determine which is best for you.
- Ask the center how many transplants they perform every year and what their survival rates are. Compare these numbers to those of other transplant centers.
- Ask about support groups they have available and what type of travel and housing arrangements they offer.
If the transplant team believes you are a good candidate for a kidney transplant, you will be put on a national waiting list.
- Your place on a waiting list is based on a number of factors. Key factors include the type of kidney problems you have, how severe your Heart disease is, and the likelihood that a transplant will be successful.
- The amount of time you spend on a waiting list is usually not a factor in how soon you get a kidney, except maybe for children.
Most, but not all patients waiting for a kidney transplant are on dialysis. While you are waiting for a kidney, follow these steps:
- Follow any diet your transplant team recommends.
- Do not drink alcohol.
- Do not smoke.
- Keep your weight in the range that has been recommended. Follow any recommended exercise program.
- Take all medicines as they have been prescribed for you. Report changes in your medications and any new or worsening medical problems to the transplant team.
- Follow up with your regular doctor and transplant team on any appointments that have been made.
- Make sure the transplant team has the correct phone numbers so they can contact you immediately if a kidney becomes available. Make sure, no matter where you are going, that you can be contacted quickly and easily.
- Have everything ready in advance to go to the hospital.
If you received a donated kidney, you will need to stay in the hospital for about 3 - 7 days. Afterwards, you will need close follow-up by a doctor and regular blood tests for 1 - 2 months.
The recovery period is about 6 months. Often, your transplant team will ask you to stay fairly close to the hospital for the first 3 months. You will need to have regular check-ups with blood tests and x-rays for many years.
Outlook (Prognosis)Almost everyone feels that they have a better quality of life after the transplant. For those who receive a close match, up to 90% are still alive after 1 year, and more than 70% are alive after 5 years. Those who receive a kidney from a living related donor do better than those who receive a kidney from a donor who has died. (If you donate a kidney, you can usually live safely without complications with your one remaining kidney.)
People who receive a transplanted kidney may reject the new organ. This means that their immune system sees the new kidney as a foreign substance and tries to destroy it.
In order to avoid rejection, almost all kidney transplant recipients must take medicines that suppress their immune response for the rest of their life. This is called immunosuppressive therapy. Although the treatment helps prevent organ rejection, it also puts patients at a higher risk for infection and cancer. If you take this medicine, you need to be regularly screened for cancer. The medicines may also cause high blood pressure and high cholesterol and increase the risk for diabetes.
A successful kidney transplant requires close follow-up with your doctor and you must always take your medicine as directed.
ReferencesBarry JM, Jordan ML, Conlin MJ. Renal transplantation. In: Wein AJ, ed. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 40.
What else can I help you with?
What are the problems that still remain of a kidney transplant?
Kidney failure and kidney rejection can still remain after kidney transplant.
What can help the machine through in transplant of kidney?
kidney transplant (defination , machine)
What is replacement of a kidney called?
kidney transplant
Where do they create the incision if you are getting a kidney transplant?
The incision for a kidney transplant is in the lower part of the Abdomen
Did Tracy Morgan have a kidney transplant?
Yes, Tracy Morgan had a kidney transplant. He has diabetes and struggled with alcohol abuse which necessitated a kidney transplant in December of 2010. He received a kidney from a friend named Tanisha Hall.
What kind of transplant did Carley Cartee have?
a kidney transplant
How do you the word transplant in a sentence?
He received a kidney transplant
What if you don't have a kidney transplant?
If you have kidney failure then you will need to do dialysis or have a kidney transplant. If treatment is not received, the build up of toxins is fatal.
First succesfull Kidney Transplant?
The first successful kidney transplant was performed to the Herrick twins in 1954.
How many people are waiting now for a kidney transplant?
5,865 people are waiting for a kidney transplant!!! NO LIE!*
What happens when you have kidney failiure?
Kidney failure (also called renal failure) occurs when the kidneys lose their ability to effectively filter waste products and excess fluid from the blood. Because the kidneys play a vital role in maintaining the body’s internal balance, their failure affects multiple systems. What typically happens: Waste buildup (uremia) Healthy kidneys remove toxins and metabolic waste. When they fail, these substances accumulate in the blood, which can lead to: Fatigue and weakness Nausea and vomiting Loss of appetite Difficulty concentrating or confusion Itching and metallic taste in the mouth Fluid imbalance The kidneys regulate fluid levels. Failure can cause fluid retention, leading to: Swelling in the legs, ankles, or face Shortness of breath (if fluid builds up in the lungs) Rapid weight gain from fluid accumulation Electrolyte disturbances Kidneys maintain proper electrolyte balance. Disruptions may result in: High potassium (dangerous for the heart) Abnormal sodium levels Muscle cramps or irregular heart rhythms Blood pressure problems Kidney disease and hypertension often worsen each other. Poor kidney function may cause: Elevated blood pressure Increased cardiovascular risk Reduced red blood cell production Kidneys help stimulate red blood cell formation. Failure can contribute to anemia, causing: Persistent tiredness Pale skin Shortness of breath on exertion Acute vs. Chronic Kidney Failure Acute kidney failure (AKI): Develops suddenly, sometimes reversible if the underlying cause is treated. Chronic kidney disease (CKD): Gradual loss of function over time, which may progress to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). When kidney function becomes severely reduced If the kidneys can no longer support the body’s needs, medical interventions may be required, such as: Dialysis: Artificially removes waste and excess fluid Kidney transplant: Replaces lost kidney function Modern care often involves a combination of approaches: medications, dietary management, lifestyle adjustments, and when necessary, renal replacement therapies. Multidisciplinary management can significantly improve quality of life and outcomes. Important note Symptoms and progression vary widely depending on the cause, severity, and overall health of the individual. Anyone experiencing warning signs (swelling, reduced urine output, unexplained fatigue, or persistent nausea) should seek medical evaluation promptly. Early assessment and structured treatment planning, through integrated or combination-based care models used by specialized centers like MedicoExperts, can help patients better manage the condition and slow complications.Is this conversation helpful so far?
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