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What is a kidney transplant?
A kidney transplant is the surgical placement of a donated kidney into your body. This is often done for people who are on dialysis for kidney failure.
A kidney transplant is also called a renal transplant.
Why does the kidney need to be replaced?
The kidney is a vital organ. You may know that it filters blood and makes urine, but did you also know that it controls blood pressure, helps maintain bones, forms vitamins, and helps make new blood?
Kidneys can get damaged by diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure. If your kidneys stop working, you can't survive without dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Donated kidneys can come from dead or living donors.
How is a kidney transplant performed?
If you need a kidney transplant, you're first put on a waiting list. There are more people waiting for new kidneys than there are available donor organs. It can even take several years before you get an organ. Unfortunately, many people die waiting. The United Network for Organ Sharing directs where the donated organs go.
As you're waiting for a new kidney, your doctors will order many blood tests and x-rays.
If you have a relative or friend willing to donate a kidney, you don't have to wait as long as others. You and your donor will schedule surgery at the same time, often in operating rooms that are next to each other.
A kidney transplant is a major operation. After you're put to sleep (under general anesthesia), your belly is opened up and the donated kidney is put in your lower abdomen. It gets attached to blood vessels and your bladder.
Your own kidneys are usually left in place. People who've had a kidney transplant usually have three kidneys.
How long does the procedure take?
The operation usually takes several hours. If you've had any type of abdominal surgery in the past, the surgery can take longer.
What are the risks?
Like any other major surgery, there is always a risk for bleeding, infection and even death with a kidney transplant.
Your body may also reject the new organ. Rejection occurs when your body's immune system starts attacking the donated organ. The new kidney may stop working and you could end up needing dialysis again.
You'll be given many different types of medicines after a transplant, and each has side effects and risks. You need them to prevent rejection.
If you'll be having a kidney transplant, it's very important to find a good kidney center that has a record of doing many successful transplants.
This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
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