Kidney Transplant

A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure used to replace a diseased kidney with a healthy donor kidney, helping restore normal kidney function. This procedure is usually performed on patients with end-stage kidney disease or severe kidney failure. 

Kidney transplants are generally a highly effective treatment that can improve quality of life, reduce dependence on dialysis, and increase long-term survival. Top surgeons, combined with advanced technology and comprehensive care, ensure high success rates for patients undergoing this procedure. Choose Gleneagles Hospitals to ensure the best results for your kidney transplant, with expert care, cutting-edge facilities, and personalised treatment plans tailored to every patient.

It is estimated that every year, lakhs of people die because of chronic kidney diseases globally. With the advent of kidney transplant procedures, this number has reduced significantly, and people could save the lives of their loved ones. For kidney dysfunction, usually, dialysis is recommended. However, dialysis is a temporary fix for the issue. A kidney transplant proves to be the permanent solution for kidney failure. But, it must be done by an expert kidney specialist since the process is complex and requires an experienced team. Let’s discuss everything about kidney transplant surgery. We will also discuss the cost and success rates of the surgery and the potential risks that it has.

A kidney transplant is a procedure in which a failing kidney is removed from the body of the patient, and a healthy kidney from the donor candidate is surgically put in the place of the kidney. Unlike a dialysis process in which the kidney function is partially corrected, a kidney transplant fully restores all the functions of the kidney, such as the ability to filter blood, regulate fluid levels, and balance the electrolytes in the body. A kidney transplant majorly impacts your life by providing you with a brand-new one. However, it is important to take all the required precautionary measures and recovery steps to ensure the success of the operation. Adhering to the advice of your healthcare providers is extremely important.

A kidney transplant is generally recommended for people in the last stage of renal disease, which is a condition in which 90% of the kidney function is restricted, or the kidney is too weak to perform its basic functions. Below are some of the common causes of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). 

• High Blood Pressure – Patients who constantly have high blood pressure would require a kidney transplant. When constantly high blood pressure remains untreated for a long time, the nephrons have a high chance of getting damaged, leading to severe kidney dysfunction.
• Autoimmune Diseases – These can impact kidney function significantly, as in this kind of disease, the immune system attacks its own organs.
• Diabetes – Patients with diabetes often develop kidney disorders. Your doctor would help you with the required medical treatment options for your condition.
• Polycystic Kidney Disease – A polycystic kidney disease is a condition that can only be treated with a kidney transplant surgery.
• Chronic Glomerulonephritis – This is a chronic kidney condition for which a kidney transplant is a viable option. 

Patients who are unable to sustain dialysis for long durations or want to improve the quality of their life with a permanent solution may opt for a kidney transplant.

The process of a kidney transplant can be broken into three phases. These phases include: 

• Pre-Transplant Evaluation: A kidney transplant is a complex procedure; a thorough evaluation is necessary before starting the surgery. This includes a medical compatibility test, finding the perfectly matched donor, and screening for any infections.
• The Surgery: The kidney transplant surgery is performed under general anaesthesia. The donor kidney is placed in the lower abdominal region and connected to the blood vessels and the ureter. This has to be done very quickly and carefully to ensure less blood is lost.
• Post-Surgery: Once the surgery is done, the patient has to be provided with intensive care and medication. Immunosuppressive medication is given to prevent organ rejection. A lot of sanitisation measures have to be taken to avoid any infections from happening.

The cost of a kidney transplant can vary depending on the hospital facilities, the expertise of the surgeons, and post-operative care. On average, the cost of a kidney transplant ranges from around Rs. 7 lakhs to Rs. 15 lakhs. It can be different based on the severity of your case and other medical aspects. Your healthcare provider will be able to provide detailed information regarding the cost of a kidney transplant.

The success rate of a living donor is considerably higher than that of a departed donor. There are a lot of factors that can impact the success rates of your kidney transplant. Usually, 95% of people with a live kidney donor live for at least one year after the surgery. And 90% of deceased donor kidney recipients live for at least one year. The individual success rates may vary depending on the condition of the individual and the severity of the condition of the patient. Moreover, getting yourself treated by the best kidney transplant surgeons also increases the success rate by a considerable margin.

Let us now discuss some of the risks associated with a kidney transplant. Understanding the risks is equally important as knowing the other details of the kidney transplant procedure. 

• Organ Rejection – As the organ is not the native organ of the body, there are chances that your immune system would attack the newly transplanted kidney considering it as a foreign body.
• Surgical Complications such as blood clots – Since the surgery is of a long duration, there are chances of developing blood clots and having significant blood loss.
• Infections due to immunosuppressives – The patient is required to take immunosuppressants; this results in the weakening of the immune system, making the patient more vulnerable to infections.
• Increased risk of cardiovascular diseases – A person with a kidney transplant has a chance of developing cardiovascular disease. This is mainly due to the immunosuppressants or any complications during the surgery.

Close monitoring, lifestyle changes, and proper medication can help in mitigating these risks.

After the surgery is done, you will be transferred to the recovery room until they ensure that you wake up and are stable now. Your transplanted kidney might still not start working immediately. It would take some time. It is generally observed that a kidney from a family member starts functioning earlier than that from a deceased donor. 

After the procedure, pain management techniques have to be followed. Once the anaesthesia wears off, the patient is going to experience a lot of pain near the abdominal region and the incisions. This time, specifically, the patient is given heavy doses of immunosuppressants so that the body does not reject the organ.

Some of the perks of getting your kidney transplant done at a top hospital include:

• A team of the best kidney transplant surgeons makes achieving a successful surgery easier.
• World-class medical infrastructure that meets the international perfection level for a kidney transplant.
• An exceptionally high success rate that gives you even more assurance and confidence.
• A top-notch post-operative recovery facility and holistic patient care.

A kidney transplant is a more long-term treatment option and significantly increases the life expectancy rate of the patient. While the kidney transplant cost varies greatly, choosing the best kidney transplant hospital can ensure successful surgery and a high level of patient care. Reputed hospitals provide best-in-class services, facilities for surgery, and expert surgeons who work proficiently, making them a preferred choice for anyone looking for a kidney transplant.