Kidney transplant
Key points
- A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure to implant a healthy kidney into a patient with Kidney failure.
- Kidney transplants are second only to corneal transplant as the most common transplant operation in the United States.
- While the patient is unconscious and pain-free (under general anesthesia), an incision is made in the side of the abdomen.
- While the patient is unconscious and pain-free (under general anesthesia), an incision is made in the lower abdomen.
Alternative names
Renal transplant; Transplant - kidney
Definition
A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure to implant a healthy kidney into a patient with Kidney failure.
Description
Kidney transplants are second only to corneal transplant as the most common transplant operation in the United States. There are over 9,000 kidney transplants performed each year.
Patients with chronic kidney disease can receive life-saving dialysis therapy until a donor becomes available. The donated kidney may be from:
- Living related donor - genetically related to the recipient, like a parent, sibling, or offspring
- Living unrelated donor - like a friend or spouse
- Deceased donor - a recently deceased individual who has no known chronic kidney disease
The healthy kidney is transported in a cool saline solution that preserves the organ up to 48 hours. This gives time to perform blood and tissue donor-recipient matching tests, which are done before the operation.
PROCEDURE FOR A LIVING KIDNEY DONOR
While the patient is unconscious and pain-free (under general anesthesia), an incision is made in the side of the abdomen. The kidney is removed and the incision is closed. The traditional operation requires a long incision. However, improvements in technique use a short incision (mini-nephrectomy) or use laparoscopic techniques.
PROCEDURE FOR THE KIDNEY RECIPIENT
While the patient is unconscious and pain-free (under general anesthesia), an incision is made in the lower abdomen. The new kidney is stitched into place within the pelvis and the incision is closed.
Indications
A kidney transplant may be recommended for patients with Kidney failure caused by:
- Severe, uncontrollable High blood pressure
- Infections
- Diabetes
- Glomerulonephritis
A kidney transplant alone may NOT be recommended for patients who have:
- Heart, lung, or liver disease
- Other life-threatening diseases
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
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