Kidney transplant is a surgery to replace a diseased or damaged kidney with a donor kidney. The donor may be a relative or friend. The donor can also be someone who has died and donated the organs.
A kidney transplant is done to replace a kidney that is no longer working and cannot be fixed. It may also be done if the kidney has been removed (eg, as cancer treatment). Kidney transplant is only needed if both kidneys are not working. The kidneys fail most often for the following reasons:
More than 90% of transplanted kidneys from deceased donors remain working after one year. The success rate often improves with a kidney from a living donor.
If you are planning to have a kidney transplant, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:
Be sure to discuss these risks with your doctor before the surgery.
There is a shortage of donors. You may be on a transplant list for some time. You may need to carry a cell phone with you at all times. This will allow the transplant team to reach you if a kidney becomes available.
Your doctor will likely do the following:
Leading up to your procedure:
General anesthesia will be used. It will block any pain and keep you asleep through the surgery. It is given through an IV in your hand or arm.
The doctor will cut into the lower abdomen. The donated kidney will be connected to your arteries, veins, and ureter (tube that carries the urine to the bladder). In most cases, the diseased kidneys will be left in place. The doctor will then close the incision. The new kidney may start producing urine right away or within a short time.
You will have a catheter left in your bladder. This catheter will be connected to a bag to collect urine.
3-6 hours
You will have pain during the recovery process. Your doctor will give you pain medicine.
This procedure is done in a hospital setting. The usual length of stay is 1-2 weeks. Your doctor may choose to keep you longer, however, if complications arise.
While you are recovering at the hospital, you will need to:
When you return home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:
After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
RESOURCES:
American Urological Association Foundation
http://www.urologyhealth.org/
National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse
http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/
National Kidney Foundation
http://www.kidney.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
The Kidney Foundation of Canada
British Columbia Branch
http://www.kidney.bc.ca/
The Kidney Foundation of Canada
Northern Alberta and the Territories Branch
http://www.kidney.ab.ca/
References:
Akbar SA, Jafri ZH, Amendola MA, et al. Complications of renal transplantation. RadioGraphics. 2005; 25: 1335-1356.
Cecil RL, Goldman L, Bennett J. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Company; 2000.
Halloran PF. Immunosuppressive drugs for kidney transplantation. NEJM. 2004; 351: 2715-2729.
Kidney transplant. National Kidney Foundation website. Available at: http://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/kidneytransnewlease.cfm. Updated January 2009. Accessed November 10, 2009.
Kidney (renal) Transplantation. American Urological Association Foundation website. Available at: http://www.urologyhealth.org/adult/index.cfm?cat=08&topic=123. Accessed November 10, 2009.
National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse website. Available at: http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/index.htm. Accessed November 10, 2009.
Tjandra J, Clunie G, Thomas R. Textbook of Surgery. 16th ed. Malden, MA: WB Saunders Co; 2001.
Last reviewed November 2009 by Adrienne Carmack, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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