Find the cost of Kidney Transplant

What are the types of kidney transplants?

There are broadly 3 types of transplant:

• • Deceased-donor kidney transplant
    The kidney is removed from a recently deceased person with consent from the family and is preserved and stored until it needs to be transplanted to a recipient, whose kidneys are failing.
• • Living-donor kidney transplant
    This procedure involves removing and placing the kidney of a living donor into the recipient with diseased kidneys. 
  • Preemptive kidney transplant
    A recipient may undergo preemptive kidney transplant while their kidneys are progressing towards failure and before they have to start dialysis.

Who can be a living kidney donor?

Anyone aged between 18 and 60 years old is eligible to be a living kidney donor, provided they are in good physical and mental health. However medical conditions like high blood pressure, cancer, HIV, diabetes, hepatitis or infection can prevent a person from being a living donor.

Why do you need a kidney transplant?
A patient may require kidney transplant when they have end-stage renal disease, a permanent condition of kidney failure. Diseases that may lead to end-stage renal disease include:

• • Diabetes
  • Chronic high blood pressure
  • Repeated urinary infections
  • Polycystic kidney disease
  • Glomerulonephritis
  • Hemolytic uremic syndrome
  • Lupus

Paediatric kidney failure is most commonly caused by birth (congenital) defects and genetic conditions.
 

When do you need a kidney transplant?

For some patients, it may be more favourable to undergo a kidney transplant before they are required to have dialysis. But a kidney transplant may be riskier than dialysis for a few others.

How is a kidney transplant carried out?

Pre-transplant evaluation

• • Finding a donor kidney and consulting the doctor for evaluation.
  • Undergoing blood tests, diagnostics tests and psychological and social evaluation
  • The recipient’s blood and tissue type should be compatible with the donor

Surgery

• • The surgery is performed after the patient is put under general anaesthesia
  • The diseased kidneys are left in place, while the new kidney is inserted in the lower abdomen and connected to the blood vessels and bladder
  • Once attached, the transplanted kidney will start performing the function of the failing organ

Post-operative care

• • Close monitoring to ensure kidney function, identify signs of possible rejection and other complications
  • The recipient will need to take immunosuppressants to prevent or reverse rejection

What are the risks involved with getting a kidney transplant?

• • Infections
  • Blockage of blood vessels in the transplanted kidney
  • Leakage or blockage or urine
  • Bleeding
  • Rejection of the new kidney
  • Long-term complications from anti-rejection medication 
    • High blood pressure
    • Increased risk of infections
    • Diabetes
    • Cancer

How do you prepare for a kidney transplant?

• • Sign a consent form permitting the surgery to be performed 
  • The recipient will need dialysis before the procedure, if they have been on routine dialysis 
  • Maintain a dietary regimen and curb certain harmful lifestyle practices
  • Fasting before surgery:
    • Living-donor transplant - 8 hours prior
    • Deceased-donor transplant - as soon as a donor kidney becomes available
  • The healthcare provider can also ask them to make other specific preparations

What does recovery and post-transplant care entail?

• • Regular follow-up visits after leaving the hospital
  • Stop smoking and drinking alcohol
  • Maintain a healthy diet, avoiding high levels of salt 
  • Do regular physical activity

If you think you may be facing long-term issues related to the kidneys, you may consult a specialist at a medical facility near you and undergo further evaluation to determine whether or not you require a kidney transplant.