Recipient Kidney Transplantation Surgery

Abstract

After successful kidney transplantation, all recipients experience nearly a normal quality of life, and 75% of recipients return to work and gain independence and report an improved mental health and physical well-being. Potential recipients of kidney transplantation should be evaluated to determine their eligibility to be placed on the waitlist for a cadaveric kidney or for living donor kidney transplantation. Once a suitable donor becomes available, the recipient is prepared for kidney transplantation. The surgical technique of recipient kidney transplantation includes back table preparation of the kidney graft, and recipient kidney transplantation surgery. Back table preparation of the donor kidney provides adequate anastomoses for kidney recipient surgery and the surgical techniques are detailed in this chapter. The donor kidney is placed in the iliac fossa, due to its close proximity to the bladder and the iliac vessels. Numerous vascular anastomosis techniques during the surgery can be used and are selected based upon the surgeon’s preferences; the various techniques are described in the chapter. Before closure, the kidney, renal vessels, and iliac vessels must be inspected for thrombosis and adequate blood flow.