| Kidney
Transplant
What is Kidney Transplantation?
A kidney transplant is a surgical
procedure performed to replace a diseased kidney with
a healthy kidney from another person. The kidney may
come from a deceased organ donor or from a living
donor. Family members who make a good match may be
able to donate one of their kidneys. This type of
transplant is called a living transplant. Individuals
who donate a kidney can live healthy lives with the
remaining kidney. There are several advantages to
living donor transplants when compared to cadaveric
transplants. These include:
- There is less waiting time involved.
- There are higher success rates.
- Surgery can be planned, which allows for the best
health of the donor and recipient.
How is it done?
The surgeon places the donor kidney
off to one side of your lower abdomen and attaches
the artery and vein of the transplanted kidney to
the blood vessels in your pelvis. The surgery usually
takes about 3 hours. Following surgery, you will have
a urinary catheter draining urine from your bladder.
The urinary catheter is usually removed after 5 days.
Why is it done?
Most transplants work immediately,
and creatinine levels return to normal levels within
weeks. A few transplanted kidneys will be slow to
work. When this happens, dialysis is needed until
the kidneys start to function.
Risks & complications
You have probably already thought
about some good things about getting a new kidney:
the fact that you will have more free time if you
are not on dialysis; the hope that you can return
to work if you are not able to work now; the probability
that you will feel better and have more energy; the
idea that you will no longer have to restrict your
fluid intake, and you may be able to eat some foods
not now permitted. All is very appealing!
But certainly, there are risks.
The first is that of surgery, which involves the use
of general anesthesia (being put to sleep).Infection,
following the surgery, is another risk. So has to
return to the operating room if there is a complication.
Although precautions are taken to minimize these risks,
they are always a possibility with any major surgery.
Another risk involves the medicines that are taken
after transplant. Their purpose is to make your immune
system less active so your body will not reject the
kidney. Your immune system's job is to fight off disease
and infection. When its "fighting ability"
is reduced by the medicines, diseases and infection
can occur more readily. Sometimes, though rarely,
death can result.
Some patients have had many problems
because of illness in addition to kidney failure.
Some patients are older, some are not so old,
but having other disease may pose greater risk for
transplantation. Part of the evaluation involves weighing
risks and benefits and determining whether the benefit
outweighs the risk.
Alternatives
Kidney failure was an untreatable
condition. Now, with different forms of dialysis,
we are able to save many lives that would once have
been lost. Dialysis is not a cure for kidney failure,
but rather a substitute for the natural kidney.
Candidate eligibility
Today, kidney transplantation is
accepted as the best treatment for patients with end
stage kidney disease. As you look into kidney transplantation,
you will receive information about the various aspects
of the transplant process. You will be given information
before your transplant, during your hospital stay,
and after the transplant that addresses your questions
and concerns. Many of your concerns are common to
all patients who choose to have a kidney transplant.
It is our goal to help you make an informed choice
about transplant. We believe the information will
help you become a more active partner in your treatment
and recovery after a kidney.
Amazon will work with you and our India
Affiliates to create a package where all your Orthopaedic
concerns/problems can be addressed. If you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by
phone or email.
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