Transplant Surgery
Kidney Transplantation
| Transplant
Surgery
Kidney Transplant |
|
In existence since 1967, the kidney transplant program at the
University of Virginia is the busiest program of its kind in the
Commonwealth of Virginia. The program has provided care to more than 800
organ recipients from across Virginia and neighboring states. Many of
these patients have been at significant risk for medical and surgical
complications, and the UVa transplant team uses its extensive transplant
experience and expertise to assure good patient outcomes. Kidney transplantation is recognized as the optimal treatment option
for many patients with end-stage renal disease, but a national organ
shortage has resulted in prolonged waiting times. The UVa transplant team
explores the option of living related and unrelated kidney donation with
each patient during the early phases of the transplant evaluation process.
Not only does living donation decrease waiting times, but long-term
studies have shown that these organs function earlier, require less
immunosuppression, and last longer than cadaveric organs. As with all UVa transplants, the program's primary goal with kidney
transplantation is to improve the quality of life of each patient by
maintaining long-term graft function. Many UVa patients are encouraged to
participate in clinical and pharmacologic research. Transplant program
patients have also been an intregal part of a number of drug studies,
including those exploring new immunosuppressive agents, as well those
aimed at reducing the complications of chronic immunosuppression. A multidisciplinary approach is essential to guaranteeing patient
satisfaction and promoting long-term kidney graft survival-one of the many
reasons why the referring physician is considered to be an intregal member
of the transplant team. All transplant program patients are strongly
encouraged to follow up with their primary care physicians shortly after
discharge from their transplant admission and at regular intervals
thereafter. |