Experienced transplant services in Kansas City

Sometimes, whether because of disease or injury, organs can begin to fail. One of the most effective treatments for organ failure is a transplant, which replaces the damaged organ with a healthy, functional one. The Transplant Institute at the Research Medical Center is fortunate to have a large team of experienced transplant surgeons who are devoted to providing you with expert surgical services. In addition, we are proud to have a nationally recognized kidney transplant program, as well as being the only institution in the greater Kansas City area that offers a simultaneous pancreas/kidney transplant procedure.

We maintain a dedicated transplant unit, as well as a living donor transplant coordinator to make sure that you receive the care you need as quickly and efficiently as possible. We also actively participate in multi-center drug studies and the Midwest Transplant Network to make sure that we are able to provide effective frontline treatments to eligible patients.

You or your doctor can request a transplant evaluation by calling (816) 822-8257 or toll free at (800) 892-5771, extension 3788.

About The Transplant Institute

We are proud to be able to offer you some of the best transplant services in America. Over the past 30 years, The Transplant Institute has worked hard to earn our reputation for technical excellence, advanced research and excellent patient outcomes. In 2012, we earned the Medal of Honor for Organ Donation from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Types of transplants we perform

Our team of surgeons are experienced in a range of transplant procedures, but most especially:

Kidney transplant

Kidney failure is most often caused by diabetes or high blood pressure, but it can also be caused by repeat or severe infections or injuries. The initial treatment for kidney failure or kidney disease is dialysis, but a kidney transplant can also be considered as an option.

Because people can live with just one kidney, living donors are very common, though deceased donors may also be able to provide a transplant kidney. After the procedure, if you were struggling with kidney failure before, you will be able to go without dialysis treatments, but you will have to take medicine to keep your new kidney healthy, as well as maintaining your own health to make sure that your kidneys continue to function normally.

Learn more about the living donor program

Pancreas transplant

A pancreas transplant is often performed due to severe damage caused to the organ by type 1 diabetes. A pancreas transplant can cure Type 1 diabetes, but it's only done in very serious cases, where complications have occurred and management is no longer an option.

The new, transplanted pancreas comes from an individual who has elected to become an organ donor after their death. In cases where both the pancreas and the kidney are being transplanted simultaneously, both organs are taken from the same deceased donor.

Once the transplant is complete and you have recovered, the healthy pancreas will begin creating insulin, and the you will be able to eat a regular diet without fear of further damage from diabetes. However, as with all transplants, there will be long-term care and medication necessary to keep you and your new pancreas healthy.

Pancreas/kidney transplant

In cases where both the kidneys and the pancreas have been damaged, the transplants may be done simultaneously. Our facility is equipped to perform this procedure, and our team of surgical specialists is trained and experienced in this specific surgery. Usually, the two organs are transplanted from the same deceased donor, and the procedure takes about six hours to perform in total. A combined pancreas/kidney transplant prevents any damage from diabetes in the newly transplanted kidneys, and eliminates the need for insulin therapy.