Kidney autotransplantation surgery

A kidney (renal) autotransplant is a procedure where a person’s kidney is surgically removed and then repositioned back in their body. This procedure can restore and preserve kidney function and relieve pain caused by some kidney conditions. 

Kidney autotransplantation surgery is for people who have ongoing pain from a kidney condition that hasn’t been helped by other treatments.  

You may be a candidate for kidney autotransplantation if you have severe pain from: 

• Kidney stones 
• Loin pain hematuria syndrome 
• Nutcracker syndrome 
• Renal artery aneurysm 
• Shortened, injured, or damaged ureter 

If your doctor thinks autotransplantation might help you, they can refer you to our program. We’ll review your medical records and history.  

If we think you might be a candidate for surgery, we’ll ask you to come in for an evaluation. You’ll meet our team of specialists, including urologists, nephrologists, kidney transplant surgeons, social workers, and a psychiatrist. 

Based on your evaluation, our team will recommend either surgery or other treatment options.  

Kidney autotransplantation typically takes about four hours. Your family is welcome to stay with you until we take you to the operating room. We’ll update them frequently about how your procedure is progressing. 

Whenever possible, we use minimally invasive techniques, which create a smaller incision and lead to a quicker and easier recovery. 

You’ll have general anesthesia during surgery to keep you asleep and comfortable. Your surgeon makes an incision in your abdomen, removes the kidney that has been causing pain, and surgically repairs it if needed. 

They then place your kidney back in your body in a different position and reconnect blood vessels and the tube that carries urine from your kidney to your bladder (ureter). 

After kidney autotransplantation, you spend about seven days recovering in the hospital while we monitor your kidney function and ensure you’re healing. 

After discharge, you’ll need to remain nearby for several weeks to attend follow-up appointments. We’ll continue to perform tests and exams to make sure your kidney is functioning properly and monitor you closely for signs of any complications.  

Assessing pain is an important part of recovery as well. We’ll talk to you about your pain level. Most people who have kidney autotransplantation have significantly reduced pain and improved quality of life after they’ve healed from surgery. 

General risks of kidney autotransplant surgery are similar to the risks of any major surgery. These risks include excessive bleeding, blood clots, infections, and problems with incision healing. Specific risks of kidney autotransplantation include: 

• Damage to the kidney 
• Kidney failure 
• Urinary tract infections 

Unlike transplant with a donor kidney, autotransplantation has no risk of organ rejection. During your recovery and follow-up appointments, we test frequently for complications so we can treat any problems early. Your Penn Medicine team is passionate about helping you live a full, healthy, pain-free life after kidney autotransplantation.