Many patients with end-stage renal failure hope for a “new” kidney through a transplant. However, there are not enough donor organs, usually taken from deceased donors, available. Patients that are medically fit for a transplant are first placed on a central waiting list. Waiting times as well as similar tissue types between donor and recipient are considered when allocating donor organs. This lessens the risk that a transplanted kidney will be quickly rejected by a recipient.

The donor organ is implanted in the groin area of the patient and connected to the patient’s blood vessels. The kidney’s ureter is connected to the patient’s bladder. Damaged kidneys are usually left in the body. A donor kidney that functions well produces urine just like healthy kidneys and also helps to regulate blood pressure and controls the production of blood cells.

Every transplant carries with it the risk of rejection by the recipient. Therefore it requires life-long medication to artificially weaken the body’s defenses. This then leaves the body more susceptible to some illnesses. After a kidney transplant regular exams by a specialist are essential. As long as no complications arise, approx. 50% of these patients can live a comparatively normal life for an average of 10 years before the transplanted kidney’s filtering ability diminishes.