Kidney transplant

A successful kidney transplant is the most effective treatment for chronic kidney disease (CKD), because it’s the closest alternative to having your own kidneys function properly. However, not all patients are suitable candidates for a kidney transplant. So, this option should be discussed with your clinicians.

A transplanted kidney from a deceased donor typically lasts 12 years.¹ A transplanted kidney from a living donor typically lasts 15 years.² Some chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients may need more than one kidney transplant in their lifetime.

Timing plays a crucial role in the success of a kidney transplant. If you are able to have a kidney transplant operation, you should aim to have it as early as possible. It is ideal to get your kidney transplant even before your chronic kidney disease (CKD) is severe enough to require dialysis (before stage 4 and stage 5). Given that the average waiting time for a kidney transplant is between 3 and 5 years, this may be difficult. If you are not able to get a kidney transplant before you start on dialysis, be sure that you choose the type of dialysis that best suits your health and lifestyle needs, making it as easy as possible for you to stay on your treatment plan.

For your kidney transplant to succeed, the healthy kidney must come from a donor whose blood and tissue types are compatible with yours. It is also beneficial if the donor’s genetic characteristics are similar to your own. There are two types of kidney donations:

Living Donations

A healthy kidney can be surgically removed from a living donor and transplanted into you. A living kidney donor can be a relative, friend, spouse, or anybody else who is willing to donate and has the same tissue type as you and a blood type that is compatible with your own. Even if you find a living donor, your clinician may still recommend that you register for a kidney transplant waiting list. 

Deceased Donations

If you are not able to get a donation from a living kidney donor, you will need to place yourself on a waitlist to receive a deceased-donor kidney. Your clinician will help guide you through this process. Most countries have a centralised organisation that manages this process and helps patients navigate the system.

After you’ve received a kidney transplant, you are likely to remain in the hospital to recover for a few days. Throughout your kidney transplant recovery, you should expect to experience soreness around the incision site and throughout your abdomen. The status of your kidney transplant will be monitored carefully by your care team. You may be given immunosuppressants to prevent your immune system from recognizing the transplanted kidney as a “foreign object” and consequently rejecting it. You will also need to take other medications to reduce your risk of infection and other post-operation complications. It is likely that these medications will need to be taken for as long as you have the transplanted kidney, not only during your kidney transplant recovery period.

Although kidney transplants can be an extremely effective treatment for chronic kidney disease (CKD), there are still risks. Like with any other operation, your body may have difficulty recovering and you may experience complications, including:

• Your body may reject the new organ, and you will need to take medication to prevent this from happening.
• Your new kidney may not function properly at first. You may need to remain on dialysis until your new kidney starts to work.
• Your new kidney may fail immediately (though not common), or at any time after your transplant. You must be mentally and physically prepared to receive a new transplant or go on dialysis if this happens.

Be sure to talk to your clinician about the potential risks of a kidney transplant operation.