How are the blood vessels of a transplanted kidney connected to the recipient’s circulation?

During a kidney transplant, the new organ is typically implanted in the iliac fossa, a space located in the groin area. To integrate the kidney into the recipient's circulation, surgeons connect the donor's renal artery and vein directly to the recipient's iliac artery and vein.1

To facilitate these new vascular attachments, surgeons often place a right kidney into the left iliac fossa, or a left kidney into the right iliac fossa. Once these connections are secured, the ureter of the transplanted kidney is attached either to the recipient's existing ureter or directly to the bladder to allow for the drainage of urine.1