Kidney Transplant Surgery in India

Kidney Transplant is a surgical procedure that replaces a diseased or damaged kidney with a healthy one from a donor. This treatment is primarily indicated for patients suffering from end-stage renal disease (ESRD), where the kidneys can no longer perform their essential functions.

Types of kidney transplant surgery:

• Living Donor Transplant A kidney is donated by a living person, often a relative or friend. This type of transplant tends to have better outcomes due to the kidney being healthier and fresher at the time of transplantation.
• Deceased Donor Transplant The kidney comes from someone who has recently died and has consented to organ donation. Due to the shortage of available organs, patients may wait several years for a deceased donor kidney.

Indications for Transplantation :

Kidney transplants are typically performed on patients with ESRD, which is characterized by a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) below 15 ml/min/1.73 m². Common causes of ESRD include diabetes, hypertension, chronic glomerulonephritis, and polycystic kidney disease. Patients may also undergo preemptive transplantation before starting dialysis if a suitable living donor is available

Evolution Process :

Before undergoing a transplant, candidates must be evaluated to ensure they are healthy enough for the procedure and capable of adhering to post-transplant care, which includes taking immunosuppressive medications to prevent organ rejection. The evaluation includes:

• Physical examinations
• Imaging studies (e.g., X-rays, MRIs)
• Blood tests
• Psychological assessments

Surgical Procedure :

During the surgery, which typically lasts 3 to 4 hours under general anesthesia, the new kidney is placed in the lower abdomen. The recipient's diseased kidneys are usually left in place unless they cause complications. The surgeon connects the renal artery and vein of the donor kidney to the recipient's blood vessels and attaches the ureter to the bladder.