A living-donor kidney transplant is the removal of a kidney from a living donor and placement into a recipient whose kidneys no longer function properly. Only one donated kidney is needed to replace two failed kidneys, which makes living-donor kidney transplant an alternative to deceased-donor kidney transplant.
About one-third of all kidney transplants performed in the U.S. are living-donor kidney transplants. The other two-thirds involve a kidney from a deceased donor.
Why it’s done
Compared with deceased-donor kidney transplant, living-donor kidney transplant offers these benefits:
- Less time spent on a waiting list, which could prevent possible complications and deterioration of health
- Potential avoidance of dialysis if it has not been initiated
- Better short- and long-term survival rates
- A pre-scheduled transplant once your donor is approved versus an unscheduled, emergency transplant procedure with a deceased donor
- Living-donor kidneys almost always start working immediately after transplant compared with deceased-donor kidneys that can have delayed function
Risks of living-donor kidney transplant are similar to those of deceased-donor kidney transplant. They include risks associated with the surgery, organ rejection and side effects of anti-rejection medications.
What you can expect
Living-donor kidney transplant usually involves a donated kidney from someone you know, such as a family member, friend or co-worker. Genetically related family members are most likely to be compatible living kidney donors.
A living kidney donor may also be someone you don’t know, a non-directed living kidney donor.
Both you and your living kidney donor will be evaluated to determine if the donor’s organ is a good match for you. In general, your blood and tissue types need to be compatible with the donor’s.
Once you’ve been matched with a living kidney donor, the kidney transplant procedure will be scheduled in advance. The kidney donation surgery (donor nephrectomy) and your transplant will occur on the same day.
