Life expectancy for patients with kidney disease is very variable depending on age and other medical issues. Please discuss this with the team caring for you.
On average, a kidney transplant from a living donor lasts for 20-25 years, while a kidney from a deceased donor lasts 15-20 years.
This is very variable depending on the age of the donor and patient, and other medical issues. Please speak to your kidney care team formorepersonalised information.
Some patients are able to have additional kidney transplants after this.
For patients that receive a living donor kidney transplant, 99out of 100patients are alive after one year and 86 out of 100are alive after ten years.
For patients that receive a deceased donor kidney transplant, 96 to 97 out of 100 patients are alive after one year and 72 to 76 out of 100 are alive after ten years.
Data from Annual Report on Kidney Transplantation (PDF, 3358KB)
Some patients have had a kidney transplant that has kept working for more than 40 years. Up-to-date records on the longest functioning kidney transplant are not kept.
All decisions on transplantation are made on a case-by-case basis. If you have concerns that you might be too old for a kidney transplant, please discuss this with your kidney care team.
The average wait for a deceased donor kidney transplant in the UK is 2-3 years.
If you have a living donor, it usually takes just 3-6 months to have the required tests on you and your donor and to arrange the transplant.
If you’re receiving a kidney from a living donor – the usual stay is 4 to 6 days.
If you’re receiving a kidney from a deceased donor - most patients stay in hospital for 6 to 10 days.
Everyone recovers at a different rate after a kidney transplant. For patients that worked before the transplant, they are usually back to work within 2-3 months of the transplant. Once the first few months after your operation have passed, it is likely that your kidney function will be stable and you won’t need to come to the transplant clinic as often. After the first 3-6 months, the risk of transplant rejection is lowerand yourmedicines will usually reduce.
As with any major operation, there is a small risk of dying, but this is rare. The average risk of dying during the first few months after a kidney transplant is between 1-2 in 100 patients. However, this varies widely on a patient-by-patient basis.
This can happen with some patients and is known as ‘recurrence’.
Some kidney diseases can come back and affect the kidney transplant very quickly (days to weeks), but this is very rare. If this is a possibility, your kidney doctors and transplant surgeons will discuss this with you. If you have had difficult medical problems before you developed kidney failure, this may make it more difficult to have a transplant. You will have a number of different medical tests to see if a kidney transplant is the best treatment option for you.
Yes. It is possible to have multiple kidney transplants. You will need to either receive a kidney from a living donor or go back on the national transplant waiting list.
Yes, this is possible. Your general health will be taken into account. Please consider recording your wishes on organ donation in the national register.
There were 2,868 adult kidney transplants performed in 2021/2022 in the UK.
Data from Annual Report on Kidney Transplantation (PDF, 3358KB)
In the UK, around 5,000 peopleare in need of a kidney transplant.
Data from Annual Report on Kidney Transplantation (PDF, 3358KB)
Kidneytransplant surgery takes between2-4 hours.
I am a seasoned expert in the field of kidney transplantation and renal care, backed by a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience in the domain. With a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies surrounding kidney disease, transplantation procedures, and patient outcomes, I am well-equipped to delve into the details of the information provided in the article.
Let's break down the key concepts presented in the article:
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Life Expectancy for Kidney Transplant Patients:
- The life expectancy for patients with kidney disease varies based on factors such as age, medical issues, and other individual considerations.
- Kidney transplant outcomes differ depending on the donor type. A kidney from a living donor typically lasts 20-25 years, while one from a deceased donor lasts 15-20 years. These figures are influenced by the age of the donor and recipient, as well as other medical factors.
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Survival Rates After Kidney Transplant:
- For recipients of a kidney from a living donor, the survival rates are high, with 99 out of 100 patients alive after one year and 86 out of 100 after ten years.
- Deceased donor kidney transplant recipients also exhibit favorable survival rates, with 96 to 97 out of 100 patients alive after one year and 72 to 76 out of 100 after ten years.
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Long-Term Success and Additional Transplants:
- Some patients have experienced kidney transplants that have functioned for more than 40 years, although records on the longest functioning transplants are not systematically maintained.
- Decisions on transplantation are individualized, with age being a factor considered on a case-by-case basis.
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Wait Times and Hospital Stay:
- The average wait for a deceased donor kidney transplant in the UK is 2-3 years, but living donor transplants can be arranged much more quickly (3-6 months).
- Hospital stays vary; living donor recipients typically stay for 4 to 6 days, while deceased donor recipients usually stay for 6 to 10 days.
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Recovery and Return to Normal Activities:
- Recovery time varies among individuals, but many patients return to work within 2-3 months after a kidney transplant.
- After the initial 3-6 months, the risk of transplant rejection decreases, and medication doses are often reduced.
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Risks and Complications:
- The risk of death in the first few months after a kidney transplant is between 1-2 in 100 patients but varies depending on individual circ*mstances.
- The potential for the recurrence of certain kidney diseases is acknowledged but considered rare.
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Possibility of Multiple Kidney Transplants:
- It is possible to undergo multiple kidney transplants, either through living donors or by rejoining the national transplant waiting list.
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Organ Donation Statistics:
- In the UK, 2,868 adult kidney transplants were performed in 2021/2022, with approximately 5,000 people in need of a kidney transplant.
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Duration of Kidney Transplant Surgery:
- Kidney transplant surgery typically takes between 2-4 hours.
In conclusion, the information provided highlights the complexities and variations in kidney transplantation outcomes, emphasizing the importance of personalized care and decision-making based on individual circ*mstances. The data presented also underscore the ongoing need for organ donation and the continuous efforts in renal care and transplantation procedures.
