Kidneys play a major role in the biological balance of human body, from secreting hormones to the excretion of waste products. Renal diseases have different origins, but the most frequent nowadays is diabetes, which affects the re-absorption of water by the kidneys.

Options to cure renal diseases usually involve dialysis and ultimately kidney transplantation (also known as renal transplantation). With this surgery, a new kidney will be transplanted to take charge of the functions that cannot be handled by the ailing kidneys.

Procedure information
The new kidney can either come from a living or a deceased donor; the donor and recipient have to be compatible, with the criteria involving blood group and a Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) match.

An incision is made in the abdomen, near the hip bone. In most cases the ineffective kidney is not removed because experience has shown this causes high blood pressure and induces surgical morbidities. The new kidney is therefore placed inferior of the normal location.

Kidney transplant surgery involves connecting the renal artery and vein according to the kidney’s new location. Blood supply is restored to make the kidney work properly and allow it to start producing urine. The last step of the surgery consists of connecting the urethra from the donor kidney to the bladder. Kidney transplant surgery typically lasts about three hours.

Recovery time
The patient can get out of bed the day after kidney transplant surgery. On the day of surgery only liquids can be absorbed. Normal diet is usually resumed after two or three days.

After three or five days, depending on the patient’s condition, it is possible for them to go home. Discomfort at the place of incision will gradually cease and after three or six weeks kidney transplant recipients can resume their daily activities, including going back to work.

The main issue in kidney transplantation is immune rejection by the body, but improvements in medication have seen fewer patients experience complications. Medicines suppressing transplant rejection must be taken as long as the transplanted kidney functions.