What is a Kidney Transplant

8/6/2019 What is a Kidney Transplant

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What is a kidney transplant?

A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure in which a person whose own kidneys havefailed receives a new kidney to take over the blood purification function. The surgery isclassified as a major one but advancements in medicine have greatly improved thesuccess rates and the acceptability of donors who would some years ago have been

rejected.Kidney donations come from two sources: living donors and non-living donors. A livingdonor may be a family member, close friend or even a stranger who wishes to donate akidney to anyone in need of a transplant.( In India donations by unrelated living donorsrequire special approvals from the government). Deceased donor kidneys usually comefrom people who have willed their kidneys before their death.

How is donor-patient kidney compatibility tested?

What blood tests are performed to determine if a person is a compatible kidney donor?

Blood type

A simple blood test is performed to verify the blood type of the donor and the patient.Given below is a compatibility table:

Donor blood type Patient blood type

A A or AB

B B or AB

AB AB

O Any blood type: A, B, AB or O

Tissue typing

Tissue typing is a blood test that evaluates the compatibility between the tissue of thedonor and the patient.

The human leukocyte antigen test, also known as HLA, is a test that detects antigens(genetic markers in white blood cells that trigger antibody production). The HLA test isused to verify tissue compatibility typing of tissue recipients and donors

Siblings (brothers and sisters) usually have the best chance of being a perfect match (6 of6 antigens). Recent developments in anti-rejection medications have cut down the

occurrence of rejection in kidneys from unrelated donors

Crossmatching

Blood samples of the donor and the patient are allowed to mix in the laboratory. If theinterface does not result in any cell damage, compatibility is indicated. On the other hand,if cells begin to die, the conclusion is non-compatibility.


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If the blood tests indicate compatibility, the potential donor is examined to verity that hisphysical condition does not preclude the donation. Counseling is also provided.

What are the risks of kidney transplantation?

As with any surgery, the common risks are bleeding, infection, or breathing problems.

The patient could be more prone to infections, as immune-suppression medication takenafter transplantation lowers the bodys defence against infection. The specific risk isorgan rejection.

What is kidney rejection?

Kidney rejection is caused when the bodys immune system recognizes the transplantedkidney as a foreign object and activates the bodys defence mechanism. The degree ofrejection depends on a number of factors including the extent of mismatch between thedonor and the patients tissues.

Rejection is overcome by taking medications every day. Anti-rejection medications have

possible side effects (high blood pressure, weight gain and a susceptibility to infectionsand tumors) because the body's immune system is suppressed. The side effects usuallyare manageable for most patients.

The kidney transplant procedure

Kidney transplant surgery usually lasts three to five hours. The damaged kidneys areusually left in place, with the new kidney being placed in the lower abdomen. The arteryand vein of the new kidney will be attached to an artery and vein in the lower part of theabdomen, just above one of the legs. The new kidney's ureter, the tube that links thekidney to the bladder, will be connected to the bladder.

The transplanted kidney may function immediately. In some cases the kidney begins towork only after a week or so. Soreness or pain around the surgery site is common.. Therecovery time in the hospital is usually about seven days.

We advise patients from outside of India to come prepared for a 10-12 week stay, post-discharge, in the city where the transplant is done. This is to facilitate routine dressingsinitially and for monitoring thereafter.

What are the chances of a successful kidney transplant?

With proper matching and appropriate medication, the chances of a successful transplantare good. A successful kidney transplant gives the patient strength and vitality. The

patient can return to a close to normal diet and food intake. A more normal lifestyle andmore independence in day to day activities is possible.

Are kidney transplants done in India?

Yes, kidney transplants are done exceptionally well at many hospitals in India. Thesuccess rates match international standards. Indian doctors have a wealth of experience in


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kidney transplants owing to the large number of procedures done. We offer kidneytransplants at five leading centres in India.

Hospital costs : The total cost of the kidney transplant would be $ 13,000 to $ 30,000depending on the ward category, extent of treatment, complications, etc. Hospital stay

would be about 8 days for the donor, 15 days for the patient. The cost includes allhospital costs from the time of admission of the patient and the donor till the time of theirdischarge after the transplant.

Accommodation outside the hospital : The patient will need to stay in an apartment nearthe hospital for about 2 weeks before the surgery and for about 8-10 weeks after thetransplant. Accommodation in a furnished apartment starts at about $ 600 a month.

1. Identify a donor from your country, preferable a relative

2.

Please investigate donor-patient compatibility in your country or a

neighbouring country if possible. If not you can send us samplesfor HLA typing ( couriers may have restrictions). If this also is notpossible, you will need to come to India for investigations

3.Once compatibility is confirmed, both the patient and donor will beinvestigated for operability

4.

Transplant will take place after the above confirmations andcompletion of documentation relating to the donation of kidney( We will need Government permission in cases where the donorand patient are not closely related)

1.Medically speaking, we can organise a kidney transplant procedureat one of the best hospitals in India. The success rate is at worldclass levels.

2. There are no legal issues if the donor is a close relative

3.

In cases where the donor is not a close relative, Govt. permission isnecessary but may or may not be given depending on thecircumstances of the case.

4. . We do not organise donors for kidneys

5.

The total cost of the kidney transplant would be $ 13,000 to $30,000 depending on the ward category, extent of treatment,

complications, etc

6.Hospital stay would be about 8 days for the donor, 15 days for thepatient.

7.

The patient will need to stay in an apartment near the hospital for 2weeks before the surgery and for about 8-10 weeks after thetransplant. Accommodation in a furnished apartment costs start atabout $ 600 a month.


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What is a Kidney Transplant