Transplant operation

The kidney together with its renal artery, renal vein and ureter is removed in an operating theatre. The cuts are stitched up and the wounds are dressed.

In the recipient a space is created for the kidney graft (usually just above the groin), then the renal artery and the renal vein are joined to an artery and vein close by in the recipient’s body. The ureter of the graft is joined to the bladder of the recipient.

If the donor is living, usually a relative or close friend, both operations will be performed at an arranged time in the same hospital. Otherwise, when the donor has died, the operation on the donor to remove the kidney is often performed in one hospital and the operation on the recipient to implant it is performed in another hospital.