Skip to main content

How does kidney transplant surgery work? - Alexander H. Toledo

200,275 Views

513 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

In 1954, Joseph Murray attempted a type of kidney swap that no doctor had tried before. The surgery was a success, and the patient would go on to live with the transplanted organ thanks to one key factor: it came from his identical twin. 70 years later, nearly 100,000 kidneys are transplanted annually in the US alone. So how does this surgery work today? Alexander H. Toledo explains the procedure.

Because people can live safe and healthy lives with one kidney, kidney donation is a relatively low risk surgery. What situation in your own life (if any) would cause you to consider kidney donation?

Sign in to answer question

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Alexander H. Toledo
  • Director Biljana Labović
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Animator Mengxin Li
  • Art Director Mengxin Li

More from Getting Under Our Skin