Kidney+Surgery

"Kidney transplantation is replacement of non working kidneys with a healthy kidney from another person (the donor). The healthy kidney (the 'graft') takes over the functions of your non working kidneys. You can live normally with only one kidney as long as it functions properly. The transplantation intself is a surgical operation. The surgeon places the new kidney in your abdomen and attaches it to the artery that supplied blood to one of your kidneys and to the vein that carries blood away from the kidney. The kidney is also attached to the ureter, which carries urine from the kidney to the bladder. Your own kidneys are usually left in places unless they are causing you problems such as infection. Every operation has risks, but kidney transplantation is not a particularly difficult or complicated operation. It is the period after the surgery that is most critical. Your medical team will watch very carefully to make sure that your new kidney is functioning properly and that your body is not rejecting the kidney.

Before you can receive a kidney transplant you must undergo a very detailed medical evaluation.
 * Are you eligible for a transplant?**
 * This evaluation may take weeks or months and require several visits to the transplant center for tests and examinations
 * The purpose of this thorough evaluation is to test whether you would benefit from a transplant and can withstand the rigors of the surgery and antirejection medications and the adjustment to a new organ.
 * You will be asked many questions about your medical and surgical history, the medications you take and have taken in the past, and your habits and lifestyle
 * It will seem like they ask every imaginable question at least twice! It is important that they know every detail about you that could bear on a future transplant
 * They also want to make sure you are mentally prepared for following the necessary medication regimen.

You will also have a complete physical examination. Lab tests and imaging studies complete the evaluation.
 * Your blood and tissue will be typed so that you can be matched to a donor kidney. This significantly lessens the chance of rejection.
 * You will have blood and urine tests to monitor your creatinine level, other organ functions, and electrolyte levels.
 * You will have x-rays, ultrasounds, CT/MRI scans, and other imaging tests as needed to make sure your other organs are healthy and functioning.

Any of the following conditions significantly increase your chance of rejecting the new kidney and may make you ineligible for transplant:
 * Active cancer
 * HIV infection
 * Serious heart or lung disease
 * Positive results for hepatitis C
 * Severe infection


 * All information from http://www.emedicinehealth.com/kidney_transplant/page3_em.htm#Kidney%20Transplantation *