Kidney transplantation is an operation that places a healthy kidney taken from a cadaver or a living related donor into the body. The transplanted kidney takes over the work of the two kidneys that failed.
During a transplant, the surgeon places the new kidney in the lower abdomen and connects the artery and vein. When the blood starts flowing through the kidney, the new kidney will often start making urine.
People who have transplants must take drugs for the rest of their lives to keep their body from rejecting the new kidney.
This information was compiled with help from the
following Web sites. Please see them for more information.
National Library of Medicine National Kidney Foundation
Sentara.com