An estimated 1 in 7 Minnesota adults has chronic kidney disease. For people dealing with the most advanced form of the disease, getting a kidney transplant may be the best treatment option for living a longer, better life. Unlike other organs where transplant may be a last resort, doctors generally recommend kidney transplant earlier in a patient’s journey, before dialysis becomes necessary.
Mayo Clinic is a global leader in kidney transplantation, performing over 1,000 transplants annually across its three sites. It’s leading the way in using organs from both living and deceased donors to help more people receive successful kidney transplants—even patients who may be dealing with health issues like obesity, high blood pressure, cancer, or other conditions that make surgery more difficult.
“We’re used to managing the most complex patients and regularly see patients who have been turned down for transplant by other centers,” says Dr. Carrie Schinstock, medical director of the kidney transplant program at Mayo Clinic. “We want to provide every patient with an organ that will last as long as possible, and we work closely with our multidisciplinary team of specialists to make it happen.”
What is Chronic Kidney Disease?
The main function of the kidneys is to filter and remove waste, minerals, and fluid from the blood by producing urine. Chronic kidney disease involves a gradual loss of this function. In advanced chronic kidney disease, the inability of the kidneys to filter properly can cause dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes, and waste to build up in the body. This condition, known as end-stage kidney failure, is fatal without artificial filtering (dialysis) or kidney transplant.
Patient-Centered Care
Mayo Clinic has designed its entire transplant program around meeting patients’ needs. “We acknowledge the challenge and stress the patient experiences while going through a kidney transplant evaluation, surgery, the early post-transplant period, and management of a kidney transplant long term,” Dr. Schinstock says. “Therefore, we work to ensure the process is as smooth as possible for patients and their families.”
“Patients tell us all the time that it’s so different being at Mayo than anywhere else,” adds Dr. Ty Diwan, surgical director of the kidney transplant program at Mayo Clinic. “They feel they’re getting all their questions answered and being taken care of on a personal level, as a human being. And that makes all the difference.”
Providing Hope Through Innovation
The team at Mayo is always looking to find new solutions and improve outcomes. In 2023, Mayo Clinic surgeons successfully performed Minnesota’s first robot-assisted kidney transplant. Robotic implantation can result in smaller incisions, fewer complications, and faster recoveries.
Dr. Schinstock is also excited about two active clinical trials: one aimed at personalizing immunosuppression to prevent transplant rejection and minimize complications, and another for a drug that may help reduce antibody-mediated rejection.
If you or someone you know is considering kidney transplant—or needs a second, third, or fourth opinion—talk to the experts at Mayo Clinic. “We have a long history of transplants, and we understand how to deal with complex medical and surgical issues,” says Dr. Diwan. “We’ll do everything we can to find a solution and get you transplanted successfully.”
To learn more or to request an appointment at Mayo Clinic, call 507-792-8058.
