A kidney transplant is a surgery done to replace a diseased or injured kidney with a healthy kidney from a donor. The kidney may come from a deceased organ donor or from a living donor. Family members or others who are a good match may be able to donate one of their kidneys. This type of transplant is called a living transplant. People who donate a kidney can live healthy lives with one healthy kidney.
A person getting a transplant most often gets just one kidney. In rare situations, they may get two kidneys from a deceased donor. The diseased kidneys are usually left in place. The transplanted kidney is placed in the lower belly on the front side of the body.
Why might I need a kidney transplant?
You may need a kidney transplant if you have end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This is a permanent condition of kidney failure. It often needs dialysis. This process removes wastes and other substances from the blood.
The kidneys:
- Remove urea and liquid waste from the blood in the form of urine. The body breaks down protein-rich foods, such as meat, poultry, and certain vegetables, to produce urea, which the blood then carries to the kidneys.
- Balance salts, electrolytes, such as potassium and sodium, and other substances in the blood
- Make erythropoietin, a hormone that helps red blood cells form
- Regulate blood pressure
- Regulate fluid and acid-base balance in the body to keep it neutral. This is needed for normal function of many processes within the body.
Some conditions of the kidneys that may result in ESRD include:
- Repeated urinary infections
- Kidney failure caused by diabetes or high blood pressure
- Polycystic kidney disease or other inherited disorders
- Glomerulonephritis, which is inflammation of the kidneys’ filtering units
- Hemolytic uremic syndrome, a rare disorder that causes kidney failure
- Lupus and other diseases of the immune system
- Obstructions
Other conditions, such as congenital defects of the kidneys, may result in the need for a kidney transplant.
There may be other reasons for your healthcare provider to recommend a kidney transplant.
What are the risks for kidney transplant?
As with any surgery, complications can occur. Some complications may include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Blockage of the blood vessels to the new kidney
- Leakage of urine or blockage of urine in the ureter
- Lack of function of the new kidney at first
The new kidney may be rejected. Rejection is a normal reaction of the body to a foreign object or tissue. When doctors transplant a new kidney into a recipient’s body, the immune system perceives it as a threat and attacks it. Patients must take medicines to help the immune system accept the transplant and prevent rejection.
The medicines used to prevent or treat rejection have side effects. The exact side effects depend on the specific medicines you take.
Not everyone is a candidate for a kidney transplant. You may not be eligible if you have:
- An infection that persists or recurs and resists effective treatment.
- Cancer that has spread from its original location to elsewhere in the body
- Severe heart or other health problems that make it unsafe to have surgery
- Serious conditions other than kidney disease that would not get better after the transplant
- Failure to follow the treatment plan
There may be other risks depending on your specific medical condition. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your transplant team before the procedure.
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