Kidney Transplant

A kidney transplant is a surgery to place a healthy kidney from a living or deceased donor into a person whose kidneys no longer function properly. The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located on each side of the spine just below the rib cage. Each is about the size of a fist. Their main function is to filter and remove waste, minerals and fluid from the blood by producing urine. Once attached, your new kidney will start to do the job of the failing organ. The transplanted kidney is usually placed on either the lower right or left side of your abdomen. Kidneys for transplantation come from two different sources: a living donor or a deceased donor. Regardless of the type of kidney transplant-living donor or deceased donor-special blood tests are needed to find out what type of blood and tissue is present. These test results help to match a donor kidney to the recipient.