Where is a donor kidney typically placed during a transplant procedure?

During a kidney transplant procedure, the donor kidney is typically placed in the iliac fossa, which is the area of the lower abdomen on either side of the pelvis. This location is strategic for several reasons.

First, the iliac fossa provides a sufficient anatomical space to accommodate the transplanted kidney while allowing for the necessary vascular and ureteral connections to be made to the recipient's blood vessels and bladder. The renal artery and vein of the donor kidney are usually anastomosed to the recipient's internal iliac artery and vein, and the ureter is connected to the urinary bladder.

Placing the kidney in the iliac fossa also helps minimize complications and supports better perfusion due to proximity to the iliac vessels, which are larger and can ensure that the kidney receives adequate blood supply shortly after transplantation.

In contrast, placing the donor kidney in the abdominal cavity might not provide the best access or stability for post-surgical function, placing it in the thoracic cavity is anatomically inappropriate for kidney placement since that space is meant for the lungs and heart, and subcutaneously near the bladder is not viable due to the need for proper vascular connections and functionality.