Are there different types of kidney transplants?

There are two kinds of kidney transplants: cadaveric and living donor

Cadaveric transplants involve transplanting the organs of stable, heart-beating individuals who have been declared “brain dead” due to traumatic events.

Brain death, or the determination of death by neurological criteria, is the irreversible cessation of all functions of the brain. In the event of brain death, consent for organ donation is obtained from the donor’s family or next of kin. Artificial support keeps the donor’s other organs functioning until donation occurs.

Since there is a nationwide shortage of organ donors, patients who need cadaveric kidney transplants usually go on a waiting list. A national computer must consider many factors when matching these potential recipients with appropriate cadaveric donor kidneys.

What is a living donor transplant?

Some patients have relatives or close friends willing to give them one of their kidneys. Most people have two kidneys, so one can be safely donated, although major surgery is required of the donor and recipient. Kidney donors must have compatible blood and tissue and be medically approved for the surgery. Generally, they are between the ages of 18 and 50. When these donors are family members, they are called living related donors; about one-third of the transplants performed at University Hospital fall into this category.

The term “non-related living donors” applies to donors who are not blood relatives, but are “emotionally” related. These transplants are also performed at University Hospital and are another option that the patient can discuss with the transplant team.

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