Saving Evan: The new transplant procedure

WFTV



BACKGROUND: A kidney transplant is surgery to replace your own diseased kidneys with a healthy donor kidney. Conditions that run in the family will affect the kidneys; for instance, polycystic kidney disease is a disease where normal kidney tissue is replaced with fluid filled sacs. Glomerular disease is another condition that damages the tiny filtering units in the kidneys called glomeruli. High blood pressure and diabetes are the top two reasons why adults need kidney transplants. A person can survive on one healthy kidney; however, if something happens to that kidney, then a kidney transplant is a recommended option. (Source: kidshealth.org) 

There are two types: living donors and cadaver donors. A living donor could be a family member, friend, or any person willing to give a kidney to someone who needs it. A Cadaver donor is someone who recently died. Typically the key to a successful kidney transplant is having the closest possible blood and tissue matches. Tests must be performed before hand to determine if two people are a match in order to reduce the chances of the body rejecting the kidney. Surgery normally takes about three hours where the donor kidney will be placed in the lower abdomen. Blood vessels from the donor kidney will connect to veins in the blood, and the ureter from the donor will be connected to the bladder. Blood will flow through the kidney, allowing the kidney to work properly. (Source: webmd.com)
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