Introduction to Kidney Transplant

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. 

Need for Kidney Transplant

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:

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Diabetes

Advanced diabetes causes kidneys to fail and unable to filter blood normally

high blood pressure/flow icon

Chronic, uncontrolled high blood pressure

Uncontrolled high blood pressure causes the arteries around the kidney to narrow and weaken

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Chronic glomerulonephritis & interstitial nephritis

An inflammation that eventually scars the tiny filters within the kidneys (glomeruli)

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Polycystic kidney disease

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.

Haemodialysis

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:

  • Removing waste, salt and extra water to prevent them from building up in the body
  • Keeping a safe level of certain chemicals in the blood, such as Potassium, Sodium and Bicarbonate
  • Helping control blood pressure

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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Kidney Transplant evaluation process

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.

It looks at the heart's rhythm and will show if there are any abnormalities
Any issues in a patient's medical and surgical history could complicate the surgery
This is done to make sure the patient does not have infections, cavities, or gum disease as they can cause problems post-surgery
The purpose of the psychosocial exam is to make sure the patient is emotionally prepared for the surgery, post-transplant care, and living with a new kidney
Used to check the function of your heart, kidneys, liver, thyroid, and immune system. Patients will also be checked for problems with blood sugar control and electrolyte balance
These include blood typing, tissue typing and cross-matching to ensure a suitable match to the patient’s kidney
Done to check the lungs and heart for signs of infections or abnormalities

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Living on Dialysis

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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Legal Requirements

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.

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The Kidney Transplant Process

If 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.

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Donor And Recipient

The transplant team operates on the donor and recipient at the same time

Step 1
General Anesthesia icon

General Anesthesia

The surgeon will administer anaesthesia to the patients

Step 2
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Removal of the kidney

One surgeon will perform the nephrectomy (removal of the kidney from the donor)

Step 3
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Surgical Prep

Another surgeon preps the recipient’s body for the donated kidney

Step 4
Attachment of New Kidney icon

Attachment of New Kidney

The donated kidney is placed within the donor while the natural non-functioning kidneys remain in their intact position

Step 5
Closure of Surgical Incisions icon

Closure of Surgical Incisions

The bodies of both the donor and recipient are then closed

Step 6

Complications of Kidney Transplant

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:

  • Blood clots
  • Bleeding
  • Leaking from or blockage of the tube (ureter) that links the kidney to the bladder
  • Infection
  • Failure of the donated kidney
  • Rejection of the donated kidney
  • An infection or cancer that can be transmitted with the donated kidney

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Life After Kidney Transplant

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 health check up

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.

anti-rejection medications

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.

hygiene and lifestyle choices

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%

Organ transplant success stories

Mr. Bekhzod Latipov

Kidney transplant story of Mr. Bekhzod Latipov | Jeevandan, Yashoda Hospitals

Mrs. Khin Cho

Mrs. Khin Cho speaks about her kidney transplant surgery | Jeevandan, Yashoda Hospitals

Success Rate and Life Expectancy of Kidney Transplant

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.

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Success Rate:

96% for deceased donor transplants

97% for living donor transplants

Source: www.mayoclinic.org

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Life Expectancy:

Increased lifespan of 8-12 years on deceased donor kidney
Increased lifespan of 12-20 years on living donor kidney

Source: www.bidmc.org

Choosing the ideal kidney transplant centre

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:

  • The centre/hospital's reputation, mortality rates, technological expertise and team of doctors
  • Whether the centre/hospital accepts your insurance coverage
  • Locational advantage of getting to and from the patient's home
  • Whether the transplant/centre has particular expertise in living donor transplants or deceased donor transplant
  • Consult more than one doctor and/or patients who have undergone a transplant in the centre and learn about their experience
  • The amount of experience the centre/hospital have in dealing with transplant cases
Yashoda Hospitals is awarded as "India's number one organ transplants center" by NOTTO, Government of India. Yashoda Hospitals Group has established separate centers for these key organ transplants. Surgeons trained, worked with prestigious national and international medical centers are conducting organ transplants on a regular basis

Analysing cost of a Kidney Transplant

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:

  • Organ Recovery and Transport Charges
  • Cost of dialysis before the transplant
  • Hospital Infrastructure and Technology
  • Expertise of skilled surgeons, their teams and use of advanced techniques
  • Length of stay in the hospital and category of room opted
  • Any health complications
  • Recovery and Rehabilitation
  • Post-transplant Medication

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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Resolve Your Queries

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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