Kidney Transplantation

In kidney transplantation (KT), a new kidney (allograft) harvested from a healthy donor is surgically implanted into the right lower abdomen of the patient with ESRD (recipient) to substitute on a life-long basis the lost functions of his diseased kidneys. For the new kidney to sustain good function, anti-rejection medications are given to the recipient indefinitely. Overall, KT is the best treatment option for most patients with ESRD because it produces the best results in terms of survival and quality of life compared to either HD or PD.