Kidney transplantation is typically classified as cadaveric or living-donor transplantation depending on the source of the recipient organ. A kidney transplant is recommended for persons with kidney failure and will not be able to live without dialysis or a transplant.

The pre-transplant evaluation includes several blood tests: blood chemistries, blood clotting time, blood type, human leukocyte antigens (HLA). All these tests help determine the likelihood of success of an organ transplant. If a living donor wants to donate a kidney, he or she will need to be evaluated for general health and to see whether the kidney is a good match.

Diagnostic tests that are performed include renal ultrasound, kidney biopsy, and series of x-rays of the kidney, ureters and bladder.

The transplanted kidney is usually placed in a location different from the original kidney, because the barely functioning existing kidneys are not removed. The operation usually takes 3-4 hours. Patient will be given a general anesthetic. The ureter from the new kidney will be connected to the bladder. Sometimes a few weeks pass before the transplanted kidney starts working.

Medications must be given for the rest of patient’s life to fight rejection. Some of the common symptoms of the possible rejection are: fever, high blood pressure, tenderness over the kidney, and high levels of blood creatinine.

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