Kidney transplants are a treatment option for many long-term kidney failure patients.

• A kidney transplant is a significant operation.
• To be able to have kidney transplants, you must be well enough to cope with the surgery.
• Unfortunately, not everyone with kidney failure will be fit enough
• Your kidney doctor and transplant team have to be confident that you are likely to benefit from a transplant
• Other treatment options may be safer for some patients

Who can have kidney transplants?

A kidney transplant is usually the best treatment for kidney failure in patients who are fit enough for the operation. But the benefits must outweigh the risks.

To have kidney transplants:

• You must have long-term kidney disease
• You must be well enough to cope with significant surgery
• The transplant needs to have a good chance of success
• You must be able to take the required daily medicines needed after a kidney transplant, including immunosuppressant medicines.

Why kidney transplants might not be your best option

A kidney transplant has lots of advantages but it also has some disadvantages, which may make it too risky for some patients.

 The main disadvantages are:

• Kidney transplants are a significant operation lasting 4-6 hours
• The surgery can place a strain on your heart or lungs
• You have to take powerful immunosuppressant medicines afterwards, which can lead to other serious medical problems
• Some patients experience psychological difficulties afterwards

Common reasons why kidney transplants may not be the proper treatment for you include:

• You are too ill or frail to cope with the surgery and aftercare
• You have recently had cancer, a severe infection, a heart attack or a stroke
• You may struggle to take immunosuppressant medicines after a kidney transplant.

For more details contact us.