The kidney is removed from the living donor in an operating room after the person is put to sleep with anesthesia. If the donor is dead, the kidney is removed at the same time that many other organs are being removed for transplantation. The recipient of the kidney transplant is put to sleep with anesthesia. An incision is made in the lower part of one side of the abdomen. The blood vessels of the donor kidney must be connected to the corresponding vessels in the recipient's pelvis.
Blood flow is restored to the donor kidney.
The ureter, which is the tubular part of the kidney that carries urine, is connected to the recipient's bladder. There is usually room for the donor kidney to be implanted without having to remove the patient's original kidneys. When all the connections have been made, the incision is closed. The hospital stay for a donor is about 2 to 3 days. Recovery after the operation is usually uneventful.