Delayed graft function
Learn about delayed graft function and the risk of it happening after a simultaneous pancreas and kidney (SPK) transplant
Key points
- Delayed graft function is when your kidney transplant doesn’t start working straight away
- It is very common, affecting 20-60 in 100 kidneys transplanted from deceased donors
- The risk of delayed graft function is lower from kidneys donated by a living donor
- The majority of transplanted kidneys do eventually start to work, but it might take a few days or a few weeks
Answers to common delayed graft function questions
More information
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Medical terms explained
Antibodies
Antibodies are proteins made by your immune system to recognise and fight foreign substances, such as bacteria or viruses or tissues from other people.
Biopsy
A biopsy is when a small piece of tissue is taken for analysis.
Creatinine
This is a waste product that is removed by the kidneys. High levels can indicate that your kidney isn’t working as well as it should be.