Kidney
transplantation is a surgical procedure to place a healthy
kidney into someone whose kidneys have failed. One donor
kidney is usually placed in the front of the lower abdomen,
near the hip. One healthy kidney can do the work of two kidneys
that don't function. Diseased kidneys don't usually need to be
removed. Replacement kidneys can come from living related donors,
living non-related donors, or from an organ donor who has recently
died.
As soon as a diagnosis of End Stage Renal
Disease has been made, a person is eligible for a transplant,
even before they must begin renal replacement therapy. Your nephrologist
can assist you in making the arrangements for evaluation at a
transplant center of your choosing. Unfortunately, there is a
long list of people waiting for a transplant. The wait may be
several months to several years.
Although a kidney
transplant may be the treatment of choice, as with any treatment,
there are advantages and disadvantages that must be considered.Please be sure to consider the list that follows:
Advantages
Only way to replace renal functions
Frees you from dialysis
Less dietary and fluid restrictions
Improves feeling of well-being and normalcy
May improve sexual activity
Disadvantages
Surgery risks
Rejection risk
Increases susceptibility to infection
Some negative side effects from medications
Stress of waiting for available kidney
If you are a Munson Healthcare patient and have a compliment,
concern, or complaint, please contact one of our Patient
Liaisons.
