Living donor kidney transplant

The Medico-Surgical Renal Transplant team at the Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc have been carrying out living donor kidney transplants since 1963.

There is a long history of living donor kidney transplants at the Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc with patients both from Belgium and abroad, and an almost 100% success rate. Renal transplant is indicated for all patients with chronic renal insufficiency who are reaching or have reached the end stage of the disease (need for dialysis). All patients are cared for by a multidisciplinary team in a medical environment that combines the highest level of skill and technology. This involves collaboration by professionals from several disciplines, from pre-operative preparation to the period following the transplant for both donor and recipient.

Advantages of living donor renal transplant

• Avoids the waiting time associated with transplants
• Transplantation can take place before dialysis is needed
• Procedures can be planned in advance for donor and recipient
• Better organ quality due to donor selection
• Better short and long-term results  

Assessment of donor and recipient

Foreign donor/recipient pairs are asked to send their medical records in advance, detailing all the examinations already carried out in their home country. If possible, it is advisable to do this via their doctor. This initial step can sometimes avoid unnecessary travel. However, the final assessment that will enable the team to determine whether the transplant can take place in total safety for donor and recipient must be completed and decided at the Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, following a multidisciplinary consultation.

Post-transplant care

Following the time spent in hospital for kidney removal and transplantation, the donor and recipient receive medical aftercare. During the first three months, the recipient will have follow-up consultations with the nephrology team twice a week to check on transplant function and to adjust immunosuppressive treatment. After this, care should be passed into the hands of a medical team in the patient’s home country. The Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc’s team remains available to provide further care depending on the requirements of each patient. For the donor, lifelong annual blood and urine tests as well as regular blood pressure testing in the home country are strongly recommended.