Kidney transplantation is a risky operation, but it can save lives. When a person’s kidneys stop working properly and the body does not get enough relief even with dialysis, doctors recommend a kidney transplant. The question that inevitably arises is: When a new kidney is transplanted, what happens to the patient’s old damaged kidney? This is the question that most people think. Let’s explain what happens with chronic kidney disease.
In most cases, doctors leave the old kidney in the body, Newlongon reports. In fact, even if the damaged kidney is not functioning properly, it does not cause any harm to the body. Therefore, it does not need to be removed during surgery. In medical terms, it is called “Non-functional kidney”, which can live in the body without any problem. Moreover, it gets shorter with time.
People often think that the old kidney will be removed and replaced with a new kidney. However, the reality is quite the opposite. Doctors place the new kidney in the lower abdomen, making it easier to connect to the blood supply and bladder. This means that most patients have three kidneys after transplant: two old and one new.
However, in some cases, the kidney may be removed, such as if an old kidney is causing persistent infections, or if the kidney has become too large and is causing abdominal swelling or pain. If kidney disease, such as cancer, is detected, it can be removed. In such cases, doctors remove the old kidney before or at the same time as the transplant. Although the old kidney remains in place, the new kidney takes over all functions, such as filtering the blood, producing urine and removing toxins from the body. The old kidney may remain in place, but it no longer plays a role in our lives.