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International Health - Centers of Excellence: Living Donor Kidney Transplantation

Overview

Our nephrology program is ranked among the top 10 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report and offers a depth of clinical and research experience and an array of leading-edge resources. We offer one of the largest kidney transplant teams in the United States. Outcomes for patients who have had a kidney transplant at Barnes-Jewish Hospital are among the best in the country, because of the multidisciplinary team approach used by Washington University specialists.

In the last five years alone, our kidney transplant team has significantly reduced the length of stay, decreased the number of complications and achieved the lowest organ rejection rate in the world.

Number of Procedures

Among the top centers in the nation in the number of patients under its care, Washington University physicians at Barnes-Jewish Hospital perform nearly half of all kidney transplants in Missouri. More than 2,000 people have been given a second chance at health through a kidney transplant at our center – which has reported the lowest rejection rate in the world.

Best Candidates

Kidney transplantation is the optimal treatment for patients with chronic renal failure or end-stage renal disease. This procedure offers the chance for a far more normal lifestyle with fewer restrictions than dialysis. And because kidney transplantation is a highly successful therapy for appropriate patients, nearly all patients with chronic kidney failure may be considered for evaluation.

Specialized Services

Approximately 40 percent of all kidney transplants performed by Washington University physicians at Barnes-Jewish Hospital use living donors. Nearly 700 people – among the highest volume in the country – have received the gift of life from a living donor at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, a pioneer in living-donor kidney transplants. Living donors include traditional and extended family, as well as individuals related by marriage or adoption.

Advantages of a living-donor transplant include:
  • Availability of a donor organ
  • Ability to schedule the transplant in advance
  • Minimal time needed to preserve the organ
  • Lower doses of immunosuppressive drugs required
  • Greater chance of the organ functioning immediately after transplant, greatly improving outcomes

    • Washington University kidney transplant surgeons also are at the forefront of improving the surgical procedure for living kidney donation. We were among the first centers in the country to perform laparoscopic, as well as mini nephrectomy, kidney donation, in which much smaller incisions are required to remove the kidney. Using leading edge techniques, these procedures are much less invasive and significantly decrease recovery time for donors.

    Key Physicians

    Jeffrey A. Lowell, M.D., F.A.C.S.
    Surendra Shenoy, M.D.
    Daniel C. Brennan, M.D., Medical Director
    Brent Miller, M.D.
    Matthew Koch, M.D.

    Team Approach

    Excellent outcomes achieved by our multidisciplinary team approach are a result of the following:
  • World-renowned medical and surgical transplant specialists.
  • Expertise in caring for kidney failure and kidney transplant patients.
  • Tailored medical therapy and novel approaches.
  • Rigorous pursuit of leading-edge therapies and promising new drugs.
  • Availability of advanced expertise in nearly every specialty.

    • Advantages

    Working closely with each patient and his or her primary physician, we offer guidance, expertise and compassion through each step of the transplant process. The results of this team focus speak for themselves.

    Washington University Physicians are the medical staff of  Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Children's Hospital - St. Louis Employment   About Us   Top Stories   For Your Protection      Site Map
    Copyright 2013 Washington University School of Medicine
    Copyright 2013 Washington University School of Medicine