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Kidney transplantation

A kidney transplant is the transfer of a healthy kidney from one person (the donor) into the body of a person who has little or no kidney activity (the recipient).

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located on each side of the body, just beneath the ribcage. Their main role is to filter waste products from the blood before converting them to urine.

If the kidneys lose this ability then waste products can build up, which is potentially dangerous and can be life threatening.

Loss of kidney function is known as end stage chronic kidney disease or kidney failure, which is the most common reason for a kidney transplant.

It is possible to replicate the functions of the kidney using a blood filtering procedure known as dialysis. But dialysis can be both inconvenient and time-consuming so a kidney transplant, when possible, is the treatment for end stage chronic kidney disease.

Unlike other types of organ donation, such as heart and liver, a living person can donate a kidney. Ideally, this will be a close relative.

This type of donation is known as a living donation. Receiving a donation from a close relative means there is less risk of rejecting the kidney. Kidney donations are also possible from donors who have recently died. However, this type of kidney donation has a slightly lower chance of long-term success.

 

(Source:http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Kidney-transplant/Pages/Introduction.aspx)