A kidney transplant is undoubtedly the best long-term treatment for patients who have developed irreversible kidney disease. While this sounds very daunting at first, the procedure is performed, fairly frequently, with excellent longterm results. However a kidney transplant is not for everyone (as discussed previously). Very elderly patients, or those with significant problems such as heart or lung disease, might not be medically suitable to undergo transplantation. Your team will discuss the best options for you.
The transplanted kidney is placed in a different location to your existing kidneys. It will be placed in the right or left side of your lower abdomen, just above the hip bone. The arteries of the new kidney are connected onto the blood vessels, going to your legs, and the tube from the new kidney is connected to your bladder. The transplant operation takes about 3 to 4 hours.
After the operation, you will be taken to the specialist high dependency transplant ward for the first 5 to 7 days. When you wake up after the operation, you will have a number of tubes connected to you. You will have a tube in your bladder called a catheter and a number of drips in your arm or neck, supplying you with fluids. Also you will have oxygen supplied to you by a mask.
The day after the operation most people will be out of bed, sitting in a chair, and will be allowed to gradually start eating on day two. The catheter in your bladder will stay in place for up to five days. Sometimes a small plastic tube, called a stent, will be left near your bladder for 3-4 weeks. This will be removed through the bladder at a later date as a small procedure conducted as a day case. This involves a small camera being inserted via the urethra into the bladder. If you have been on dialysis for a long time, the bladder will be small which means you will probably have to urinate very often. This will improve with time. You length of stay in the hospital will depend on your health and how quickly your new kidney begins to work. Most patients spend between 7 and 14 days in hospital, after the transplant.
We have published a booklet ‘Kidney Transplantation - A Guide for Patients’ that tells you all you need to know about receiving a kidney transplant, what happens when you get home and what do to if you experience any complications. Your nurse will give you a copy of this on request.
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