An overview of kidney transplantation for patients and families. Dr Kooner is not a transplant surgeon, but is often involved in the urological care of transplant candidates and recipients.
A kidney transplant is the placement of a healthy donor kidney into a person whose own kidneys have failed or are failing. The donor kidney takes over urine production and filtering waste, usually freeing the recipient from dialysis. The transplanted kidney is placed in the lower abdomen (pelvis), and the original kidneys are usually left in place.
Assessment for transplant suitability is carried out by a nephrologist and the transplant team, and includes medical, surgical and psychosocial review.
Transplant recipients and donors often need input from a general urologist over their lifetime, including:
Dr Kooner works alongside nephrologists and transplant teams to provide this ongoing urological care.
No. Transplant surgery is performed in specialist transplant units. Dr Kooner's role is typically in the general urological care of patients before or after their transplant.
Usually yes. The original kidneys are typically left in place unless they are causing problems (for example, large polycystic kidneys causing discomfort, or a functioning kidney cancer in a native kidney).
Most living-donor kidneys work well for 15–20 years or longer, and deceased-donor kidneys typically for 10–15 years. Outcomes continue to improve. Your transplant team will discuss individualised expectations.
Ask your nephrologist or GP for a referral to a transplant unit. If you do not yet have a nephrologist, Dr Kooner can help with the first steps of referral.
Arrange a consultation or request a second opinion on kidney cancer, stones, or reconstructive kidney surgery.