Does kidney transplant surgery replace a non-working kidney?

The kidneys are bean-shaped organs, about four to five inches long, found in humans and all vertebrates.  All the blood in your body passes through the kidneys several times a day, where it is filtered to remove waste and excess fluids.

Each kidney contains about a million tiny filters.  These filters are so efficient that you could lose 90% of their function without any symptoms of disease.  When significantly impaired, kidney failure is the result – requiring either dialysis or transplant.

During the transplant operation, your old kidney (unless causing serious complications) is left in place and not removed from your body.  Instead, blood vessels are routed to the new organ, and the new kidney’s ureter is connected to your bladder.  Therefore, it is possible for someone to have three kidneys.

Bonus Fact #1: Liver and kidney disease kills more than 120,000 people each year – more than breast cancer or prostate cancer.

Bonus Fact #2: About 114,000 people in the United States alone are currently on a waiting list for a lifesaving organ transplant.