Kidney Transplant - Hope for Patients with Kidney Failure
Kidney transplant is a life saving procedure . End stage renal disease cannot be cured medications , Kidney transplant Surgery or Dialysis are the only options available . In kidney transplant procedure a healthy kidney is placed inside the body to take over the function of the diseased kidney .
Kidneys are two bean shaped organs located on either side of the spine, their main function is to filter waste products from the blood and formation of urine , also in maintaining the electrolyte balance in the body , failure to do this results in accumulation of waste products which is life threatening
Kidneys are two bean shaped organs located on either side of the spine, their main function is to filter waste products from the blood and formation of urine , also in maintaining the electrolyte balance in the body , failure to do this results in accumulation of waste products which is life threatening
For long term treatment Dialysis is not recommended as it is inconvenient with repetitive long process , has increased chances of infection and lowers the quality of life with many a restrictions, so ultimately kidney transplant is the treatment of choice in cases of end stage renal failure.
Transplant can be performed with kidney sourced from
Deceased donor that is kidney from person who is dead and has donated his kidney
Living donor any relative or close family member who wishes to give one of his kidney to save the life of the recipient kidney from a living donor it works more efficiently and lasts longer the only drawback being the living donor also has to undergo surgery for removal of kidney and may take some time to recover back.
Procedure of kidney transplant
Firstly confirming whether you are medically and psychologically fit candidate for transplant procedure.
Your body should be healthy enough to go through the surgery and other organs working adequately You will need to have blood tests as well as other tests to check functioning of other organs, your blood type and other matching factors.
Mentally too you must be ready to get regular check ups done accept responsibilities of caring for a transplanted kidney. When the physician feels you are a right candidate , he puts your name on the transplant waiting list and it may take from few months to few years for your number to come
In case any of family members wants to donate you a kidney he would need health check ups to understand whether his kidney is good match and then you need not be placed on the waiting list and can have the surgery as soon your surgeon recommends .
To minimize the chances of rejection it is important to check the compatibility of the donor and recipient . It is checked by
Blood grouping – your blood type whether A, B , AB or O should be compatible to the donor blood group
HLA( Human leucocyte antigens) it is of utmost importance that they match .
Cross matching antigens – where your blood is mixed with donors blood and checked for reactions if any
The surgeon and his team considers above factors before confirming the donor for the transplant and giving go ahead , if these factors match chances of rejection of new kidney are very much less .
Kidney transplant procedure is performed under general anaesthesia, the diseased kidney is left in place , the donor kidney is placed in the lower abdomen and artery and vein of donor kidney connected to the patient so that blood starts flowing through the kidney , also the ureter of donor kidney connected to the bladder for flow of urine .
After transplant procedure
In few cases the donor kidney may start functioning immediately , in others it may take some time before they start functioning . Dialysis may be performed for few days , where the new kidney does not start functioning immediately.
You will have to stay in hospital for a few days approximately 7-10 days for monitoring , immune suppression medication will be given so that body does not reject the new kidney
Antibiotics are given to prevent any infection
It is essential to go in for regular follow ups to ascertain the functioning of the kidney.
kidney transplant surgery carries its own risk however with advancements in technology these have greatly minimised. There could be some complications like
Bleeding , clotting tendency Infection , Rejection of the donor kidney
Adverse effects of the immune suppressant medications like bone thinning , increased risk of cancer especially skin cancer , liver damage , oedemas .
Resuming work after the kidney transplant depends upon the health status of your body , associated medical conditions , usually patients return to work after 8-10 weeks of surgery .
Kidney transplant cost in India ranges from USD 10,000- USD 14, 000, it depends on variety of factors , the doctor , hospital , number of days in hospital , tests advised , cost of immunosuppressive medications , cost of follow ups after the procedure
All organ transplant in India come under rules laid down by the Government of India . Close relatives can donate kidney to the patient. Siblings, parents, children and spouse come under the category of close relatives. In cases where the donor is not a close relative, certain rules to be followed are set .
If not treated in time End stage renal failure leads to seizures , coma and death , but after kidney transplant, patients have fewer restrictions and can lead a good quality life with less complications , however regular check ups and healthy lifestyle is advised alongside lifelong immunosuppressive therapy for mostly all .
Transplant can be performed with kidney sourced from
Deceased donor that is kidney from person who is dead and has donated his kidney
Living donor any relative or close family member who wishes to give one of his kidney to save the life of the recipient kidney from a living donor it works more efficiently and lasts longer the only drawback being the living donor also has to undergo surgery for removal of kidney and may take some time to recover back.
Procedure of kidney transplant
Firstly confirming whether you are medically and psychologically fit candidate for transplant procedure.
Your body should be healthy enough to go through the surgery and other organs working adequately You will need to have blood tests as well as other tests to check functioning of other organs, your blood type and other matching factors.
Mentally too you must be ready to get regular check ups done accept responsibilities of caring for a transplanted kidney. When the physician feels you are a right candidate , he puts your name on the transplant waiting list and it may take from few months to few years for your number to come
In case any of family members wants to donate you a kidney he would need health check ups to understand whether his kidney is good match and then you need not be placed on the waiting list and can have the surgery as soon your surgeon recommends .
To minimize the chances of rejection it is important to check the compatibility of the donor and recipient . It is checked by
Blood grouping – your blood type whether A, B , AB or O should be compatible to the donor blood group
HLA( Human leucocyte antigens) it is of utmost importance that they match .
Cross matching antigens – where your blood is mixed with donors blood and checked for reactions if any
The surgeon and his team considers above factors before confirming the donor for the transplant and giving go ahead , if these factors match chances of rejection of new kidney are very much less .
Kidney transplant procedure is performed under general anaesthesia, the diseased kidney is left in place , the donor kidney is placed in the lower abdomen and artery and vein of donor kidney connected to the patient so that blood starts flowing through the kidney , also the ureter of donor kidney connected to the bladder for flow of urine .
After transplant procedure
In few cases the donor kidney may start functioning immediately , in others it may take some time before they start functioning . Dialysis may be performed for few days , where the new kidney does not start functioning immediately.
You will have to stay in hospital for a few days approximately 7-10 days for monitoring , immune suppression medication will be given so that body does not reject the new kidney
Antibiotics are given to prevent any infection
It is essential to go in for regular follow ups to ascertain the functioning of the kidney.
kidney transplant surgery carries its own risk however with advancements in technology these have greatly minimised. There could be some complications like
Bleeding , clotting tendency Infection , Rejection of the donor kidney
Adverse effects of the immune suppressant medications like bone thinning , increased risk of cancer especially skin cancer , liver damage , oedemas .
Resuming work after the kidney transplant depends upon the health status of your body , associated medical conditions , usually patients return to work after 8-10 weeks of surgery .
Kidney transplant cost in India ranges from USD 10,000- USD 14, 000, it depends on variety of factors , the doctor , hospital , number of days in hospital , tests advised , cost of immunosuppressive medications , cost of follow ups after the procedure
All organ transplant in India come under rules laid down by the Government of India . Close relatives can donate kidney to the patient. Siblings, parents, children and spouse come under the category of close relatives. In cases where the donor is not a close relative, certain rules to be followed are set .
If not treated in time End stage renal failure leads to seizures , coma and death , but after kidney transplant, patients have fewer restrictions and can lead a good quality life with less complications , however regular check ups and healthy lifestyle is advised alongside lifelong immunosuppressive therapy for mostly all .
Leave a Comment