What is a Kidney Transplant?

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

A cadaveric transplant involves transplanting an organ obtained from a stable, heart-beating individual who has been declared “brain dead” due to a traumatic event. Brain death, or the determination of death by neurological criteria, is the irreversible cessation of all functions of the brain. In these cases, consent for organ donation is obtained from the donor’s family or next of kin. Artificial support is used to keep the other organs functioning until donation occurs. A person choosing this type of transplant must wait until a suitable donor becomes available.

A living donor transplant involves a kidney donated by a person who is alive and healthy. This is usually an immediate family member (parent, sibling or offspring) or a cousin, niece, nephew, aunt, uncle or non “blood” relative like a godparent, close friend or spouse. Generally, the living donor has close emotional ties with the person to whom he or she donates a kidney. Living donation still requires a surgical procedure for the donor, but his or her remaining kidney takes over the needed kidney function after the donation occurs.

What are the advantages of living donor transplants?

Living donor transplants have a number of advantages over cadaveric transplants.

First, there is still a great shortage of cadaveric kidneys. The person needing the transplant does not need to wait on a waiting list for the organ when he or she receives a living donor transplant. Living donor kidneys are less likely to reject and are more successful. When recipients and donors have similar tissue, which is often the case between immediate family members, transplantation success rates are improved. And, the kidney of the living donor is transplanted immediately following removal. This helps the kidney function quickly. The living donor transplant has a first year success rate of close to 95 percent, higher than with a cadaveric transplant.

Living donor transplants permit better planning of the surgery which enables both the recipient and living donor to be in optimal health at the time of surgery. Also, the transplant can be scheduled at the convenience of all involved.

Is it safe for a living person to donate a kidney?

Although kidney donation is not completely without risk, studies demonstrate that it is a safe procedure for healthy, normal individuals. These studies show that donation does not cause harm to the donor’s remaining kidney, and that people with one kidney have the same life expectancy as people with two kidneys. Once recovered from the operation, donors can lead a normal, active lives. They are at no greater risk for kidney-related illness or accidents than the general population.

But while the risk of medical complication due to kidney donation is low, potential donors should discuss their concerns with the transplant coordinator and surgeon.

Can women become pregnant after kidney donation?

Yes! In fact, the photo on the previous page shows two sisters – one donor and one recipient – with the children born after their donation/transplantation. Donating a kidney does not prevent a woman from having children.

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