The human body requires at least one kidney that is functioning properly in order for survival, therefore, in cases where an individual is experiencing a total or permanent failure of both of their kidneys they will need to undergo a kidney transplant in order to survive.
Unfortunately, when a physician recommends kidney transplantation and the patient elects to undergo this procedure, they will be placed on a waiting list and it may take several years for a donor that is the correct match to be found.
Fortunately, kidney transplantations are the most successful of all organ transplantations and the five year survival rate for the receiver is eighty to ninety percent.
Beginning the Transplant Process When the decision is made to undergo kidney transplantation, the first step in this procedure is a full medical examination that will be performed by a hospital that specializes in organ transplantation.
Numerous tests will be done that include blood tests and x-rays to determine your blood type as well as other factors that are considered when attempting to find a match that will be suitable.
A team of medical professionals will also assess the overall health of the patient to determine whether any other underlying medical conditions may be present that could cause the kidney transplant to fail.
In cases where there is a family member or friend who is willingly to donate one of their kidneys, this individual will be evaluated to determine the condition of their overall health and whether or not they will be a good match.
If a live donor cannot be found, the patient will be placed on a kidney transplant waiting list to receive a kidney from an organ donor who has agreed to donate their organs in the event of their death.
The length of time an individual will wait for a kidney primarily depends upon finding the correct match and can take several years in some cases while others may be found relatively quickly within several weeks or months.
An individual who is on this waiting list must always be prepared to proceed immediately to the hospital as soon as a suspected match is found.
A blood test will then be performed called a "cross-match test" that will show a positive or negative reaction from the antibodies within the patients system.
A "negative cross-match" indicates that the antibodies will not react and the transplant procedure can begin.
Kidney Transplant Surgery and Aftercare Kidney transplantation surgery is done using a general anesthetic that puts the patient asleep and typically takes an average of three to four hours when no complications are experienced.
In many cases the kidney will immediately begin to function by creating urine when the blood begins to flow through it, however, in some cases it may take a few weeks before the kidney begins to function properly.
The patient will have to take medications for the rest of their life in order to prevent the body from rejecting the new kidney.
In some cases - despite the fact that the patient has followed all of the proper forms of treatment - the body will begin to reject the new kidney and the patient will have to begin dialysis, however, they can be placed on the waiting list again for another kidney.
In some individuals who are experiencing a total kidney failure, transplantation may not be a viable option as the transplantation may be extremely dangerous or is likely to be unsuccessful due to other medical conditions or issues with the persons overall health.