Kidney/Pancreas Transplant Program

Established in 1968, the Johns Hopkins Kidney Transplant Program was one of the first in the nation, and has a long history of pioneering innovations geared toward expanding options for patients with renal failure. Ranked in the top five percent of all the kidney/pancreas transplant programs in the world, Johns Hopkins is responsible for the development of numerous procedures that have set the standard in kidney transplantation.

Our survival rates are consistently higher than the national average, and our kidney transplant wait times are significantly lower than typical wait times - often by as much as a year or more.

• Why would I need a kidney transplant?
• Am I eligible for a kidney transplant?
• I need a kidney transplant. Do I need a pancreas transplant too?
• Can I have a living donor? My family wants to help.
• How long will I wait for a new kidney?
• What is the surgery like?

Read more about pancreas transplants and auto-islet transplants.

Why would I need a kidney transplant?

There are several situations where a kidney transplant may be considered a viable option. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

• diabetes
  • adult onset, or type 2
  • juvenile diabetes, or type 1
• hypertension
• congenital renal obstructive disorders leading to hydronephrosis, including the following:
  • ureteropelvic junction obstruction
  • vesicoureteral reflux
  • posterior urethral valves
  • prune belly syndrome
  • megaureter
• congenital nephrotic syndrome
• Alport syndrome
• nephropathic and juvenile cystinosis
• polycystic kidney disease
• nail-patella syndrome
• glomerulonephritis
• Berger disease
• Henoch-Schönlein purpura
• hemolytic uremic syndrome
• Wegener granulomatosis
• Goodpasture syndrome

Managing the Health of Kidney Transplant Recipients

Transplant nephrologist Nada Alachkar discusses kidney transplants, candidate eligibility, patient health before and after surgery, quality of life, and Johns Hopkins.

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Am I eligible for a kidney transplant?

You must go through several medical tests before eligibility is determined. You will meet with a team of physicians, surgeons and specialists. The evaluation time takes approximately one to two months. You will need to go through a referral process. Read the frequently asked questions about kidney transplant referrals.

I need a kidney transplant. Do I need a pancreas transplant too?

Sometimes, a patient may need a kidney/pancreas transplant. While a patient who requires a pancreas transplant will most likely need a kidney transplant, a patient who needs a kidney transplant may not necessarily require a pancreas transplant.

Can I have a living donor? My family wants to help.

Yes. The Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Transplant Center offers several different options for kidney transplant, including living donation. Your physician and surgeons will work with you to determine your best option.

Traditional Donation

Traditional kidney transplants occur when a patient receives a kidney from a deceased donor. This organ is referred to as a cadaveric kidney.

Living Donor Transplant

When a patient has a family member or friend who is willing to donate a kidney, this is called a living donor transplant.

Incompatible Kidney Transplant

More than one-third of willing donors are turned down because their blood types are not compatible with the person to whom they wish to donate their kidney. The Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Transplant Center developed methods to make a donated kidney more compatible. Our Incompatible Kidney Transplant Program (InKTP), founded in 1998, is a world leader in this kind of transplant, and has shown dramatic outcomes.

Kidney Swap / Exchange

At Johns Hopkins, we also participate in kidney swaps and exchanges, where donor/recipient pairs will trade organs. For example, if Donor A was unable to donate to Recipient A, he could donate to Recipient B. Recipient B’s donor would then donate to Patient A. This is a very effective way of managing incompatible donors and recipients.

Non-Directed (Altruistic) Donor

The Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Transplant Center encourages people to consider becoming a non-directed kidney donor. These donors do not know the recipient, and are donating to improve the health of an unknown individual. Non-directed donations can set off a domino of kidney donations, which can have an effect on many people. One of the largest kidney exchanges that was started by a non-directed donor resulted in 14 transplantations.

Living Kidney Donor Surgery

Transplant surgeon Dorry Segev discusses the kidney transplant waiting list, living kidney donors, surgery, recovery and the Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Transplant Center.

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How long will I have to wait for a transplant?

The waiting time for a kidney transplant depends on a number of factors, including organ availability, organ matching and the sickness of a patient. If you have a willing organ donor, this can significantly shorten the wait time. Wait times at The Johns Hopkins Hospital are shorter than at other facilities - often by as much as a year or more. We have implemented a more efficient process for patients to be rapidly evaluated and listed for transplantation, and we provide active management for patients on the waiting list.

What is the surgery like?

If you are waiting for a cadaveric kidney, you can be called into the hospital for surgery at any time. If you have a living donor, you can have a scheduled surgery. Prior to surgery, you will be asked to review and sign an informed consent form. Kidney transplant surgery typically takes four hours. After surgery, you’ll be placed in the intensive care unit; eventually you’ll be moved to the transplant unit. The average post kidney transplant hospital stay is seven to fourteen days. Living donors only have a two day hospital stay.

Contact us for more information on kidney and pancreas transplants.