njurtransplantation

Njurtransplantation, known in English as kidney transplantation, is the surgical replacement of a diseased kidney with a healthy kidney from a donor. It is indicated for end-stage kidney disease and certain severe kidney diseases when dialysis alone is insufficient or undesirable. A successful transplant can restore renal function, improve quality of life, and extend survival compared with ongoing dialysis.

Donor sources and eligibility: living donors (often healthy family members or altruistic non-relatives) and deceased donors from organ donation programs. Before transplantation, donors are carefully evaluated for anatomy and health. Recipient evaluation includes vascular, immunological status, and comorbidities. Allocation considers compatibility, severity of kidney disease, and waiting time; ultimately a suitable donor organ is allocated to a recipient based on policy and medical factors.

Procedure and immunosuppression: the operation is typically performed in the pelvis; the donor kidney's artery and vein are connected to the recipient's blood vessels and the ureter implanted into the bladder. The recipient may begin producing urine immediately or within days. Immunosuppressive therapy is used to prevent rejection, usually a combination of calcineurin inhibitors (like tacrolimus), antiproliferatives (mycophenolate), and steroids, with induction therapy in higher-risk cases.

Postoperative care and risks: close monitoring for graft function, rejection, infection, and drug side effects. Rejection can be treated if detected early. Long-term outcomes are favorable in many patients, but immunosuppression increases infection risk and can have metabolic effects; cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of mortality with a functioning graft.

Outlook and follow-up: many patients achieve normal or near-normal kidney function; some can receive a pre-emptive transplant before starting dialysis. Lifelong follow-up with a transplant team is required to monitor function, adjust medications, and manage comorbidities.