Kidney Transplant

Overview

A kidney transplant is a life-saving procedure for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) where the kidneys can no longer function adequately. A healthy kidney from a living or deceased donor is surgically implanted to restore normal kidney function. Our multidisciplinary transplant team ensures a seamless process from evaluation to post-transplant care, maximizing success rates and improving patient quality of life.

When is a Kidney Transplant Needed?

A kidney transplant is recommended for patients with:

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring dialysis
Severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) with declining kidney function
Genetic or autoimmune kidney diseases (e.g., polycystic kidney disease, lupus nephritis)
Severe complications of dialysis affecting overall health
Uncontrolled high blood pressure or diabetes-related kidney failure

Kidney Transplant Evaluation

Before undergoing a transplant, patients must undergo a thorough evaluation to determine eligibility, which includes:

Blood and Tissue Compatibility Tests: Ensuring donor-recipient compatibility to reduce rejection risk.
Medical and Cardiac Assessment: Identifying any health risks that may affect surgery or recovery.
Psychological and Lifestyle Assessment: Evaluating the patient’s ability to follow post-transplant care.
Immunological Tests: Checking for pre-existing antibodies that could impact transplant success.

Types of Kidney Transplant

Living Donor Transplant: A kidney is donated by a compatible family member or unrelated donor. Living donor kidneys have better success rates and function longer.
Deceased Donor Transplant: A kidney is transplanted from a donor who has passed away. Patients are placed on a national transplant waiting list for available organs.
ABO-Incompatible Transplant: Advanced medical procedures allow transplants between donors and recipients with different blood types.
Paired Kidney Exchange: If a donor-recipient pair is incompatible, they can be matched with another pair for an exchange transplant.

The Transplant Procedure

Pre-Surgery Preparation: Patients are prepared with immunosuppressive medications to prevent rejection.
Surgical Procedure: The new kidney is placed in the lower abdomen and connected to the recipient’s blood vessels and bladder.
Post-Surgery Recovery: Patients are monitored in a specialized transplant unit for kidney function, infection prevention, and medication adjustments.

Post-Transplant Care

Successful kidney transplantation requires lifelong follow-up and medication management to prevent rejection and ensure long-term kidney function. Our post-transplant care includes:

Immunosuppressive Therapy: Medications to prevent the body from rejecting the new kidney.
Regular Monitoring: Routine blood tests and kidney function assessments to detect early signs of complications.
Infection Prevention: Guidelines on maintaining hygiene and avoiding infections due to lowered immunity.
Lifestyle Modifications: Nutritional counseling, exercise plans, and diabetes or hypertension management for overall health.

Potential Risks & Complications

While kidney transplantation has a high success rate, risks include:

Rejection of the transplanted kidney
Infections due to immunosuppressive drugs
Blood clot formation
Post-transplant diabetes or high blood pressure
Long-term medication side effects

When to Seek Medical Attention Post-Transplant

Patients should contact their healthcare provider immediately if they experience:

Reduced urine output or swelling in the legs
Fever, chills, or signs of infection
High blood pressure or unusual fatigue
Pain or tenderness near the transplant site

With our advanced transplant program, experienced nephrologists, and state-of-the-art post-operative care, we ensure the best possible outcomes for kidney transplant recipients. Our focus is on restoring kidney function, enhancing quality of life, and providing long-term support for transplant patients.