Kidney Transplantation
What is a kidney transplant?
A kidney transplant is a surgery done to replace a diseased 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 1 kidney. In rare situations, he or she may get 2 kidneys from a deceased donor. The diseased kidneys are usually left in place. The transplanted kidney is placed in the lower abdomen 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 requires dialysis. This is a process used to remove wastes and other substances from the blood.
The kidneys:
- Remove urea and liquid waste from the blood in the form of urine. Urea is made when foods containing protein, such as meat, poultry, and certain vegetables, are broken down in the body. Urea is carried in the blood to the kidneys.
- Balance salts, electrolytes such as potassium and sodium and other substances in the blood
- Produce erythropoietin, a hormone that aids the formation of red blood cells
- 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 kidney's 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.