renal transplantation


re·nal trans·plan·ta·tion

transplantation of a kidney from a compatible donor to restore kidney function in a recipient suffering from renal failure.

re·nal trans·plan·ta·tion

(rēnăl trans'plan-tāshŭn) Surgical transplantation of a kidney from a compatible donor to restore kidney function in a recipient suffering from renal failure.

renal transplantation

Grafting of a kidney from a living donor or from a cadaver to someone with renal failure. It is used as the definitive form of renal replacement for patients with kidney failure. Tissue typing for human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) as well as ABO blood groups is used to decrease the likelihood of acute or chronic rejection. Family members are often the best-matched donors. In patients with diabetes mellitus, combined renal and pancreatic transplants are sometimes performed with a very high likelihood of success. The high success rate of kidney transplants (85% to 95% at 2 years) is primarily due to immunosuppressive drugs such as corticosteroids, cyclosporine, mycophenolate, and tacrolimus. Because cyclosporine is nephrotoxic, careful monitoring of serum drug levels after transplantation is required. Synonym: kidney transplantationmajor histocompatibility complex; suppressive immunotherapy; See also: transplantation