Kidney Transplant

The Methodist Transplant Institute performs kidney transplants for people who have serious kidney dysfunction and will not be able to live without dialysis or a transplant. Patients in most urgent need of a transplant are placed highest on the status list and are given first priority when a donor kidney becomes available.

The majority of transplanted kidneys come from deceased organ donors, called a cadaveric transplant. A patient usually receives only one kidney, but, in rare situations, he/she may receive two kidneys from a deceased donor.

Living Donor Kidney Transplant

Family members or individuals who are unrelated but make a good match may also donate one of their kidneys through a living donor transplant. Donors can live healthy lives with one kidney . 

If the donor and recipient are not compatible, living donation is still an option through the Paired Kidney Exchange Program. Incompatible pairs can join a national pool of other incompatible pairs and “exchange” donors, through an organization called the National Kidney Registry. This registry ensures that the recipient will receive a living donor with possibly a better match. These matches can facilitate a "chain" of transplants and benefit multiple people. The transplant team will discuss the Paired Kidney Exchange Program if this is an option for you. 

End Stage Renal Disease

The indication for a kidney transplant is end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Though there are many conditions which can lead to ESRD, diabetes is the most common. Others include:  

• Analgesic nephropathy
• Polycystic kidney disease
• Congenital nephrotic syndrome
• Infections
• Lupus
• Hemolytic uremic syndrome
• Goodpasture syndrome

To learn more about ESRD, visit the American Kidney Fund or Medline Plus.