UW Health's Renal Autotransplant Program is the largest program of its kind in the United States. People seek our expertise from across the nation and around the world. Our experts diagnose and treat people experiencing loin pain-related issues and other medical concerns.
Loin pain-related issues and other concerns that might require an evaluation for renal autotransplant include:
Primary loin pain hematuria syndrome
Nutcracker syndrome
Kidney stones with chronic flank pain (pain between the ribs and hip)
Any other rare renal pain syndrome
Renal artery aneurysms
Ureteral injury/dysfunction
What is renal autotransplant?
During a renal autotransplant surgery a doctor removes the kidney that is causing pain and places it in a new location in the body.
Who benefits from renal autotransplant?
Adults and children who may benefit from renal autotransplant include those with loin pain hematuria syndrome, nutcracker syndrome and individuals with ureteral injury or dysfunction.
What is loin pain hematuria syndrome (LPHS)?
Loin pain hematuria (LPHS) is a rare disorder that includes unexplained flank pain (pain between the ribs and hip) and blood in the urine. LPHS pain can be intermittent or constant and often debilitating. It may include radiating pain to the bladder or groin, urinary discomfort, nausea and vomiting.
What is nutcracker syndrome?
Nutcracker syndrome is a rare vein compression disorder in which an artery in the abdomen squeezes (compresses) the left renal vein and impairs the blood flow draining the kidney. This can cause many chronic problems, but the most significant is persistent left-sided abdominal and flank pain.
Testing and procedures
From consultation to transplant, our renal autotransplant team includes experts in every stage of renal autotransplant. Our services include:
Evaluation and diagnostic testing
Financial/insurance assistance
Dedicated social work services
Renal autotransplantation
Evaluation
Our UW Health renal autotransplant team will evaluate you to determine your treatment plan. During this evaluation, you will meet with our team to discuss your medical history. They may order lab work or other tests. This team will answer your questions and offer additional information.
Waiting period
If you are approved as a candidate for renal autotransplant and choose to proceed, we will schedule your surgery. Our financial counselor will work with your insurance to get approval. Your pre- and post-surgery visits will be scheduled.
Surgery
You will come to the hospital two days before surgery for tests that could include lab tests, EKG and chest X-ray. We will review your history and complete a physical and share instructions for your care. You can expect to spend five to seven days in the hospital after surgery.
Follow-up care
You must have a support person able to care for you 24/7 from the time you leave the hospital until your first post-surgery visit. That visit is usually two to three weeks after surgery. These visits can include lab tests, stent removal and time with the renal autotransplant team.
The UW Health renal autotransplant team is dedicated to serving people whose loin pain might mean that they need renal autotransplant.
Our program includes surgeons, nephrologists (kidney specialists) for adults and children, a urologist, interventional radiologists and advanced practice providers. They work closely with our program manager, nurse coordinator and social worker to guide you through your transplant. Our financial counselor can connect you with helpful resources. Our team is committed to working together to provide care tailored to your specific needs.
Ali Antar, MD
UrologyDavid Foley, MD
Transplant SurgeryNeil Paloian, MD
Pediatric NephrologyJennifer Philip, MD
Transplant SurgeryTripti Singh, MD
Nephrology
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Our renal autotransplant team serves patients and performs surgeries at University Hospital in Madison, Wis.
University Hospital Renal Autotransplant Program
600 Highland Ave /Madison, WI 
(608) 262-5420
Our patients share their stories of success and a new life free from pain.
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Renal autotransplantSidney turned to social media to search for hope to cure her pain. Then, she found UW Health.
It’s a relief when you finally receive a diagnosis for the symptoms that have plagued you for years. But that relief turns into a nightmare when a doctor says your life is over, and there’s nothing he can do for you.
Renal autotransplantThe team at UW Health eases Piper's pain through renal autotransplant
For months, Piper Larson believed she had Long COVID — the continuation of symptoms after a person is infected with the COVID-19 virus.
Renal autotransplantMakenzie's pain is gone after renal autotransplant
There were only about two months between the time when Makenzie Hall first started experiencing nutcracker syndrome, and the time when she found a treatment that would ease her pain. Compared with others who have had similar diagnoses, that’s very quick.
Renal autotransplantSisters Emily and Sophia Johnston receive renal autotransplants to ease their pain
The only fortunate thing about Emily Johnston being diagnosed with an extremely rare pain syndrome was that her younger sister, Sophia, had recently received the exact same diagnosis.
Renal autotransplantMolly finds answers, relief through UW Health Renal Autotransplant Program
A self-described “people person,” Molly Pritchard works in sales, so she chats with others all day long. For the past decade, however, it was difficult for her to keep a smile on her face when she was in tremendous pain.
Renal autotransplantJustin travels from Oregon to find relief from his pain
Justin Diamond figures he’s probably seen just about every urologist in central Oregon.
Learn about frequently asked questions regarding renal autotransplant.
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