Transplant Surgery

Types of Donors

There are three sources of kidneys for transplantation:

• Kidneys from close relatives
• Kidneys from living emotionally related individuals such as friends, spouses, cousins and others
• Kidneys from individuals who have died and graciously donated their kidneys to help others like yourself

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Living-Related

Living-related donors include close relatives such as siblings, parents and children. The success rate for kidney transplantation has been shown to be the best when you receive a kidney from such a relative. This is because the tissue match is usually better and the organs are immediately transplanted after removal from the relative. The better the tissue match, the better the kidney success rate.

Although kidneys from close relatives are by far the best choice, not all individuals with kidney failure have relatives who are able to donate organs. In this situation, other types of donors must be used.

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Living Emotionally Related

Living emotionally related donors include people who are not genetically part of your immediate family. People who step forward and wish to donate their kidney may be a close friend, husband, wife, cousin or other distant relative. The success of kidney transplantation using kidneys from these people is not quite as good as from a close relative, but is as good or better than if received from a person who has donated their organs upon their death.

It is important to evaluate both you and your potential kidney donor to ensure there are no reasons to prohibit such a transplant. This will include evaluation by a psychiatrist of both you and the donor.

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Cadaveric or Deceased Donor

Individuals who have died and have donated their organs are the most common source of kidneys for transplantation. In this situation, organs are matched as well as possible to patients awaiting transplantation. A period of storage of these kidneys is necessary while the person who is to receive the kidney is prepared. The sooner that these organs are transplanted after removal from the donor, the better the chances for successful function.

Transplanted pancreata come from deceased donors only. The pancreas is often transplanted with a kidney, or the pancreas can be transplanted by itself after a previous kidney transplant.

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