Claremount Care Hospital

Why do you need a kidney transplant

Humans usually have two kidneys, one on each side of the upper abdominal region of the body. In addition to removing wastes and excess fluid from the body, kidneys also control the metabolism of electrolytes in the body, such as calcium, potassium, sodium and more. It regulates blood pressure by producing hormones that maintain the pressure. Although humans have two kidneys, the body is capable of surviving with only one functioning kidney. When ever there is a renal failure, the kidneys are unable to clear the excess fluid and waste materials from the body and there will be accumulation of these in the body in varying degrees leading to tiredness, weakness, leg swelling, nausea, vomiting, reduced appetite, breathlessness etc. Ultimately a stage will come in which these will start affecting the body’s functioning leading to requirement of Renal Replacement Therapy.

WHAT IS A KIDNEY TRANSPLANT?

A kidney transplant is a surgery done to replace a diseased or dysfunctional kidney in a person with a healthy kidney from a living or deceased donor. It is done once both the kidneys have failed and there is no chance of a recovery in renal function (end stage kidney disease).

IS RENAL TRANSPLANT REALLY REQUIRED? CAN’T I GO ON LIVING WITH DIALYSIS?

Dialysis and renal transplantation are forms of renal replacement therapy. Haemodialysis is done twice or thrice a week (approx 4 hrs per session) which works out to 8-12 hrs per week. This is hardly a replacement to the real work that the kidneys do that is 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Because of the same reason, in spite of the excellent quality dialysis facilities available, it is never a replacement for a real kidney. People tend to get weaker and other organ systems also start getting affected once years get over on dialysis. Patients typically live 10 to 15 years longer with a kidney transplant than if they stayed on dialysis.

THE BENEFITS OF UNDERGOING A RENAL TRANSPLANT ARE:

There is no longer a need for dialysis as long as kidney functions adequately.
Blood pressure is often easier to manage, but may still require medication.
Long-term follow-up care is less time-consuming than dialysis.
Patients may return to work.
Improved quality of life with expected increase in lifespan.
More cost effective than dialysis.
Fluid and dietary restrictions are usually no longer necessary and if required are much less rigid.

WHERE WILL I GET A KIDNEY FROM? WHO ALL CAN DONATE?

There are basically 2 kinds of donation – live and cadaver. A cadaveric donor is a healthy individual who has had brain death (as certified by the team according to the THOTA act) whose family has consented to donate his organs as a gesture of goodwill towards the goodness of humanity. In order to qualify for receiving the organ, the patient has to register himself with the KNOS through the hospital. A live donor on the other hand is a healthy individual who is willing to donate one of his kidneys to the patient. It can be related or unrelated. Related means with within the immediate family and includes the spouse. A related transplant is always better because of better HLA match and reduced risks of rejection. However because of a number of reasons, predominantly medical, families might not be having a donor. In such cases, an unrelated donor may be looked for. The recipient/family need to identify a healthy individual who is willing to donate a kidney out of compassion and emotional attachment. He/she needs to be evaluated by the transplant team as per the protocols and needs be certified fit for donation. Note: The hospital, concerned doctors or any other staff of the hospital do not have any responsibility or have not authorised or appointed any individual/organisation in identifying or convincing anybody for organ donation. The Hospital’s liability is limited only to screen a willing donor as per the existing legal requirements and perform transplantation, if there is matching between donor and recipient and both are clinically fit. Soliciting or offering kidney donation with any intention, other than that stated above, is punishable according to The Transplantation of Human Organs Act.

I AM A DIABETIC WITH DIABETIC KIDNEY DISEASE ON DIALYSIS. IS IT SAFE FOR ME TO UNDERGO RENAL TRANSPLANTATION?

Diabetes is the commonest cause of renal failure nowadays and so Diabetic Kidney Disease with ESKD is the commonest reason for renal transplantation. Renal transplantation is indeed safe for Diabetics however they need to be screened for cardiovascular diseases prior to transplantation (Coronary Angiogram may be needed). Also after transplantation, the sugars need to be well controlled. Uncontrolled sugars can affect the graft in the long run.

WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF TRANSPLANTATION?

Risks involved from general anaesthesia as with any major operation.
Transplantation is a treatment not a cure.
It is important to remember that your kidney function and response to the medications must be medically managed for a healthy, long-term outcome.
Despite the advances in medications and treatment and everything going well, there can still be rejection episodes (body trying to displace the grafted kidney) even in the best of centres.
Need for continued care by a kidney specialist – the periodicity will increase as the years go by.
Addition of immunosuppressive medication (and possible side effects) to current medicines. You need to be careful in the early transplant period and need to avoid contracting infections

75
doctor

1150
happy customers

40
years of experience

56
partners