ABSTRACT
Contrary to many patients’ expectations, the recipient’s own diseased kidneys are left in situ. The donor kidney is implanted in the iliac region, below and to the right or left of the umbilicus, via an open surgical approach, the donor organ usually remaining outside the peritoneal cavity. The donor renal artery is anastomosed (joined) to the iliac artery, and the donor renal vein to the iliac vein. The donor ureter is then implanted into the recipient bladder, and if adequate perfusion of the transplant kidney with blood is observed by the surgeon, the wound is closed. A bladder catheter is placed via the urethra and many surgeons implant a stent in the donor ureter to reduce the risk of leakage of urine. The bladder catheter is usually removed a few days after the operation. The stent, if implanted, is removed some weeks later by passing an instrument into the bladder which allows direct vision, and grasping and removing the stent via the instrument. No incision is required for this procedure.
