General Considerations

Renal transplantation is generally considered the most efficacious of all the modes of renal replacement therapy, but several considerations have to be taken into account prior to deciding that this is the best treatment for any particular individual.

The cause of renal failure, progression to end stage renal disease, success of dialysis, patient health status, age, ability to tolerate a major operation, availability of donors and attitudes of the patient towards any particular form of renal replacement therapy are all potential factors which may influence how a patient and their providers decide on dialysis versus transplantation.

Having potential living donors is the best option for kidney transplantation as this type of transplant results in transplants which last longer, have less immediate complications, and have better early postoperative function and less rejection than deceased donor type of transplants.  As well, live donor operations are scheduled in elective surgical time, which occurs during the daytime, where there is abundant hospital and surgical support around, and which does not require the recipient to rush to the hospital, often in the middle of the night in order to get prepped for surgery.

The decision to move forward with renal transplantation versus dialysis is one which should be taken with careful consideration and made with the advice of your various health care providers including Nephrologists, Surgeons and Family Physicians.