The transplantation constists in the replacement of one ill organ or tissue with the equivalent functioning one extracted from another living or deceased organism.
Over the years, with the improvement of surgical techniques and with the increase of knowledge, this typology of operation has become frequent and safer for the patient. In this specific case the kidney transplantation is not a lifesaving operation, but it permits a remarkable improvement of the quality of life of the patient affected by end-stage renal failure; so the requests, thanks to this process, have gradually grown.
This examination paper will make a presentation of this topic because nowadays it represents one of the subjects that more attracts and intrigues people, not only in medical environment but also in the popular one. Furthermore, the idea of transplantation is often limited to the single operation and, for that reason, it is considered a competence strictly medical. But it is important to show the essential role that the nurse conducts in prevention, assistance, rehabilitation and in the success of the transplantation itself.
Starting from a short historical excursus on the medicine of the transplantations, and in particular on the renal one, the examination paper presents the morphology and the functioning of the kidneys showing the problems that lead to a state of renal failure. It continues dealing with the process of donation and the transplantation itself of which it describes the essential phases, from the insertion in the waiting list to the operation. Finally, it analyses the assistence on the transplanted patients both in the immediate post-operating and, as a result, when they will lead again an autonomous, free and peaceful life.
