Kidney transplants

[Soozy]

ok, this could be a silly question - it came to mind as I watched Lost so here it goes

Is it medically possible for the original donor of a kidney transplant, to receive the same kidney back if the orignal recipient passes away(if say the original donor needed a kidney transplant after the first op).. Also what implications could arise from the second op?

Thanks for any feedback...

[LazyGun]

I dont see why not, in theory, provided the kidney is still in good shape etc. The likely complications would be the same as for the original recipient..... possible wound infection, affects of a general anaesthetic, and a heightened risk of post operativeinfection ,since depending on the length of time between original donation and reimplantation there would be a need to use immunosuppression to prevent rejection of the graft.

[Calvesy]

With Kidney transplants the new kidney is just plumbed into the renal artery, renal vein and ureter and does not replace the damaged kidney which is left in place unless it is diseased to avoid unnecessary surgery.

The procedure could be reversed, with the only foreign bodies reentering the original owner being blood cells. As the blood groups have already been matched there should be no complications after surgery.

[Peter Pedant]

hi Sooz

yes In theory and I dont think the obvious series of experiments have been done in animals.

And or However - some kidney recipeints need less and less rejection medicine and this is associated with the kidney being covered with the host's transplant antigens - which makes it a good question.