What is a kidney transplant?

A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure that involves replacing a diseased or non-functioning kidney with a healthy kidney from a donor. This procedure is performed on patients who have end-stage renal disease or significant kidney dysfunction that cannot be managed with other treatments, such as medication or dialysis. The goal of a kidney transplant is to restore the individual's kidney function, which can significantly improve their quality of life and overall health.

The healthy kidney can come from a living donor or a deceased donor. After the transplant, the patient typically needs to take immunosuppressive medications to prevent the body from rejecting the new kidney. This procedure, therefore, directly addresses the issue of kidney failure and offers a potential cure, compared to other treatments that only manage symptoms.