A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure in which a healthy kidney from a suitable donor is placed into a person whose kidneys are no longer able to function adequately. For selected patients with advanced or end-stage kidney disease, kidney transplantation can provide an alternative to long-term dialysis.
Kidney transplantation requires careful evaluation of both the recipient and the potential donor. The transplant team assesses medical fitness, kidney disease, blood group compatibility, immunological factors and other conditions before deciding whether transplantation is appropriate.
Kidney transplantation may be considered when kidney function has become severely reduced and the kidneys are no longer able to adequately perform their essential functions.
Patients with advanced or end-stage kidney disease may be evaluated for transplantation before or while receiving dialysis, depending on their individual medical condition.
A kidney for transplantation may come from a living donor or from a deceased donor, depending on availability and applicable medical and legal requirements.
A potential living donor undergoes detailed medical evaluation to determine whether donation can be performed safely and whether the kidney is suitable for transplantation.
Before transplantation, the recipient undergoes a comprehensive medical assessment. The purpose is to determine overall fitness for surgery, identify potential risks and prepare the patient for transplantation.
During kidney transplantation, the donor kidney is placed inside the recipient's lower abdomen. The blood vessels of the transplanted kidney are connected to the recipient's blood vessels, and the ureter is connected to the urinary bladder so that urine can drain normally.
In most cases, the patient's own kidneys are not routinely removed unless there is a specific medical reason to do so.
The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia and requires close monitoring before, during and after surgery.
Following transplantation, regular medical follow-up is essential. The transplanted kidney needs ongoing monitoring to assess its function and detect potential complications at an early stage.
Patients are prescribed immunosuppressive medicines to reduce the risk of rejection of the transplanted kidney. These medicines need to be taken exactly as prescribed and monitored regularly.
The body's immune system can recognize the transplanted kidney as foreign and may attempt to attack it. This is known as transplant rejection.
Anti-rejection medicines help reduce this risk. Regular monitoring allows the transplant team to identify changes in kidney function and investigate possible complications.
Patients should promptly report significant changes in urine output, fever, swelling, unexplained weight gain or other concerning symptoms to their transplant team.
For appropriately selected patients with advanced kidney failure, successful transplantation can provide functioning kidney replacement and may reduce dependence on dialysis.
The expected benefits and risks vary from patient to patient. A transplant specialist evaluates the individual's overall health and circumstances before recommending transplantation.
Like any major surgery, kidney transplantation carries potential risks. These may vary depending on the health of the donor and recipient and other individual factors.
Kidney transplantation requires coordinated care involving transplant surgeons, urologists, nephrologists, anaesthesia specialists, transplant coordinators and other healthcare professionals as required.
Care continues beyond the operation, with lifelong monitoring and follow-up to maintain the health and function of the transplanted kidney.
Consult Dr. Jaspreet Singh Chhabra for evaluation and guidance regarding kidney transplantation and advanced urological care.
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