Procedures

KIDNEY TRANSPLANT

Kidney transplantation is a surgical procedure that places a healthy kidney from a donor into the patient’s body. This new kidney takes over the work of the two failed kidneys. The new kidney is placed inside the lower abdomen by connecting the artery, vein and ureter of the new kidney to the recipient's body systems. As blood flows through the new kidney, urine is produced, just like before.

Family members or relatives are frequently potential kidney donors. Or the donated kidney may come from an anonymous donor who has recently died. The donor and recipient must be evaluated to ensure it is a good match. Harvesting the donor kidney can be done by laparoscopic nephrectomy, a minimally invasive procedure which is safe, leaves minimal scarring and causes minimal pain.  After the transplant, special drugs have to be taken by the recipient to ensure that his immune system does not reject the transplanted kidney.