Transplant Surgery
Overview
The Walter Reed Kidney Transplant Program is recognized as a Center of Excellence and provides comprehensive care for patients with end-stage kidney disease. It is the only kidney transplant program within the Department of War providing transplant care for military beneficiaries worldwide. Our multidisciplinary team includes transplant surgeons, transplant nephrologists, nurse coordinators, pharmacists, social workers, dietitians, and transplant specialists dedicated to delivering individualized, patient-centered care. Integrated with the Service is the DOW’s premier Histocompatibility and Immunology Laboratory and the onsite Navy Regenerative Medicine Research facility.
Our program serves active-duty service members, retirees, military family members, veterans, and other eligible beneficiaries. VA beneficiary patients may access the program via partnership through the area wide Veterans Hospital Community Care Referrals and we have special partnerships with Baltimore Veterans Hospital, Washington DC Veterans Hospital, and Martinsburg Veterans Hospital.
According to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, patients who have undergone transplantation at Walter Reed have demonstrated superior success rates (graft survival and patient survival) compared with national averages.
Dual Listing
Patients may be “listed" in more than one region concurrently, thereby increasing chances for organ availability. This allows patients to be listed at a transplant center near their home, in addition to Walter Reed.
Living Donation
We perform both living donor and deceased donor kidney transplantation and offer sate-of-the-art surgical techniques, including minimally invasive robotic living donor nephrectomy and transplants. Through participation in national paired kidney donation programs, we help expand transplant opportunities for patients with willing but incompatible living donors. We evaluate living kidney donors who are beneficiaries and civilians from across the United States and support remote donation when appropriate.
Dialysis Services
Peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis services are available on site.
Hepatic and Pancreatic Transplantation
We partner with the local academic centers to expedite all preoperative, operative, and postoperative care which is provided under the auspices of military medicine.
From initial evaluation through lifelong follow-up, our team is committed to guiding patients through every step of the transplant journey. As an academic military medical center, Walter Reed combines clinical excellence, education, and research to provide outstanding transplant care while advancing the future of transplantation.
Additional Services
In addition to kidney transplantation, our surgeons specialize in polycystic kidney and liver surgery, hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery; including the treatment of benign and malignant diseases of the liver, bile ducts, and pancreas. Whenever appropriate, we utilize minimally invasive and robotic surgical approaches to enhance recovery and patient outcomes.
Support Services
We understand that transplantation and living donation often involve travel and extended stays. To ease this burden, we provide:
- Housing, per diem, and travel support for patients and living donors
- Access to social work and counseling services
- Dedicated transplant coordinators to guide patients and families through every step