When the kidneys fail, treatment is needed to replace the work they can no longer do. When a patient gets a kidney transplant, a healthy kidney is placed inside the body to help it function better.
When the kidneys lose the filtering ability, harmful levels of fluid and waste accumulate in the body, which can raise the patient’s blood pressure and result in kidney failure (also known as end-stage renal disease). Common causes of end-stage renal disease include:
Advanced diabetes causes kidneys to fail and unable to filter blood normally
Uncontrolled high blood pressure causes the arteries around the kidney to narrow and weaken
An inflammation that eventually scars the tiny filters within the kidneys (glomeruli)
An inherited disorder in which clusters of cysts develop in the kidney
People with end-stage renal disease need to have waste removed from their bloodstream via a dialysis (haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis) or a kidney transplant to stay alive. Kidney patients of all ages—from children to seniors—can get a transplant.
Patients need dialysis when they develop end stage kidney failure - usually by the time they lose about 85 to 90 percent of their kidney function. When the kidneys fail, dialysis keeps the body in balance by:
Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) is a treatment for kidney failure where a special sterile fluid is introduced into the abdomen through a permanent tube that is placed in the peritoneal cavity. The fluid circulates through the abdomen to draw the impurities from surrounding vessels in the peritoneum, which is then drained from the body. Peritoneal dialysis can be carried out at home, at work or on trips but requires careful supervision.
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The evaluation process for a transplant is very thorough. Here are the tests a patient has to undergo before it is decided that they are fit for a transplant.
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If the kidneys have failed, patients will need to have dialysis treatments for their whole life unless they are able to get a kidney transplant. Life expectancy on dialysis can vary depending on the other medical conditions and how well the patients follow their treatment plan. Average life expectancy on dialysis is 5-10 years; however, many patients have lived well on dialysis for 20 or even 30 years.
One of the reasons for the short survival is that many patients with kidney failure are relatively elderly. The benefit of transplant is far greater in younger patients and a living donor kidney transplant provides more benefit than a deceased donor transplant.
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The primary legislation, Transplantation of Human Organs ACT, was passed in 1994. As per this act, there are certain guidelines to be followed for receiving a transplant depending on the country of residence of the receiver or the state of life of donor. For more information, visit Legalities section of our website.
Read MoreIf a patient is on a waiting list for a deceased donor kidney, they must go to the hospital as soon as they receive notification that a kidney is available. If a family member or friend is donating the kidney that the patient will receive, they need to schedule the operation in advance.
The transplant team operates on the donor and recipient at the same time
The surgeon will administer anaesthesia to the patients
One surgeon will perform the nephrectomy (removal of the kidney from the donor)
Another surgeon preps the recipient’s body for the donated kidney
The donated kidney is placed within the donor while the natural non-functioning kidneys remain in their intact position
The bodies of both the donor and recipient are then closed
Kidney transplantation can treat advanced kidney disease and kidney failure, but it is not a cure. Some forms of kidney disease may return after transplant. Kidney transplant surgery carries a risk of significant complications, including:
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After surgery, patients will probably feel sore and groggy when they wake up. However, many people who have a transplant report feeling much better immediately after surgery.
Regular Follow Up
There will be constant follow ups with the nephrologist which will decline over time. But it is critical that patients regularly follow up with their doctors after the surgery during the first year.
Immunosuppressants
Patients will take a number of medications after the kidney transplant. Drugs called immunosuppressants (anti-rejection medications) help keep the immune system from attacking and rejecting the new kidney. Additional drugs help reduce the risk of other complications, such as infection, after the transplant.
Hygeine
It is vital for patients to take the utmost care regarding hygiene and lifestyle choices as even a small infection can cause major issues.
Survival Rate: 95%
Kidney transplant story of Mr. Bekhzod Latipov | Jeevandan, Yashoda Hospitals
Mrs. Khin Cho speaks about her kidney transplant surgery | Jeevandan, Yashoda Hospitals
As medicine progresses, so does the life expectancy of patients undergoing kidney transplant. There have been great strides taken in the last decade or two, which have increased the success rate and the life expectancy of patients.
96% for deceased donor transplants
97% for living donor transplants
Source: www.mayoclinic.org
Increased lifespan of 8-12 years on deceased donor kidney
Increased lifespan of 12-20 years on living donor kidney
Source: www.bidmc.org
It is imperative that patients learn about different transplant centres around them before zeroing in on any one of them. A few things to keep in mind while choosing a transplant centre are:
It's important to consider the cost of any major surgery before a patient opts for it. Patients who opt for dialysis may need to spend almost Rs.25000 a month on 7 - 10 sessions.
It is suggested that patients check their insurance plans to check the coverage of Dialysis procedure as well as the transplant. The average cost of a kidney transplant ranges between 7 – 10 lakhs. This includes pre-transplant evaluation, the surgery itself and post-transplant recovery period. The costs generally depend on:
Patients who don’t live in the vicinity of the hospital and/or have travelled from another city for the transplant also need to keep in mind the cost of stay in the new city. Most patients and their families opt to find a house on a short-term lease in close proximity to the hospital. These costs can add up over the course of a few months.
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An end-stage kidney failure or renal failure (ESRF) is both confusing and frightening for you as well your family. Call to know about how kidney transplant could help you live better.
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