Kidney Transplant- Causes, Diagnosis, Procedure, Surgery, Cost, Risk & Recovery

Kidney Transplant

A kidney transplant surgery is a procedure that involves the transplantation of a healthy kidney from a living or deceased donor into a person whose kidneys have failed.

The primary function of the kidney is to filter and eliminate waste, minerals, and fluid from the bloodstream via urine production. When the kidneys lose their ability to filter properly, harmful fluid and waste accumulate in the body, raising blood pressure and eventually leading to renal failure (end-stage kidney disease). People who have tried other medications or treatments but whose conditions have not improved sufficiently are candidates for a kidney transplant in India.

In India, there are two types of kidney transplantation: deceased-donor (cadaveric) transplants and existing-donor transplants. These are entirely dependent on the source of the donor organ.

What is covered in the above mentioned cost for kidney surgery?

This kidney transplant price includes surgery cost, doctor’s fee, standard prescribed tests and all standard expenses required at the hospital.

India, A Preferred Destination For Kidney Transplant

India has a vast hospital network, ranging from world-class medical facilities to mid-range hospitals and state-owned hospitals that provide comprehensive medical care. This gives the patient the option of choosing a hospital based on their preferred city and surgeon.

The best hospitals in India are primarily located in major cities, which are well served by public transportation and international airports.

Advanced robotic kidney transplantation is a highly successful new procedure in India. It requires minimal invasive surgery, allowing the patient to recover quickly and easily.

Following a robotic kidney transplant , the patient has better overall health, a faster recovery, less blood loss, and a minor scar.

The overall kidney transplant cost in India is comparatively less as compared to other countries. It is estimated that a medical tourist saves up to half the amount of money in India as he would save in any other country for a kidney transplant. India’s kidney transplant success rate is among the best in the world.

However, many factors influence the Kidney transplant success rate, including hospital selection, surgical expertise, and post-operative care teams, matching tissue and donor compatibility, whether the donor is blood-related, and more.

Indian Government’s Guidelines For Kidney Transplantation

• To benefit from liver transplantation in India, the government imposes various criteria, stages, and regulations.
• The donor and the beneficiary must be related to each other (in case of a live donor transplant).
• The donor should be between the ages of 18 and 50 years old.
•  It is suggested that living donors be in sound mental health.
•  Donors who are physically fit and disease-free have better outcomes.
•  For approval to transplant, the recipient and donor should submit Form-11 to the Chairman, Authorization Committee, Jeevandan AP, along with the treatment certificate issued by the treating nephrologist and urologist, and the Liver Transplant Surgeon/Transplant Surgeon.
•  The Hospital Administrator / Medical Director/Medical Superintendent of the hospital where the transplantation is to be done shall forward the application along with all essential paperwork. The decision of the committee will be delivered to the hospital from which the application was received, rather than to the recipient directly.
• The family structure certificate should include information about the self, father, mother, spouse, son(s), brother(s), sister(s), and daughter(s), as well as their names, ages, and addresses.
• The permission issued is non-transferable and is only valid for the patient and donor, the hospital, and the clinicians (transplant surgeon and nephrologist) who applied to the committee.
•  A transplant with an Indian donor is not possible for a foreigner. They can bring a donor from their home country who has been properly certified/forwarded for transplantation in India by their embassy.
•  A certificate of non-objection is issued by the patient’s country of origin’s high commission in India, which is subsequently provided to the hospital.
•  Cases that have been submitted for approval to the transplant board.
• The patient must submit all required paperwork to the Transplant Committee for approval, and the Committee’s permission is required at the end.

Kidney Transplant Surgery Procedure

There are a few key steps to remember as you or your loved one goes through the kidney transplant procedure.

If the patient does not have medical conditions like severe heart disease, cancer, inability to recover sufficiently from an operation, an active infection, or weight issues, then they are deemed fit for the surgery. The kidney transplant success rate is also higher if they meet the desired criteria for transplantation.

There are various techniques that are used for kidney transplant surgery, namely traditional open nephrectomy, laparoscopic nephrectomy and robotic kidney transplant. The patient is suggested to opt for any one of them depending on the condition and requirement.

A kidney transplant, although necessary in some circumstances, is not a cure for renal disease. The decision to have this surgery necessitates long-term precautionary measures for the foreign kidney.

Preoperative Procedure For Kidney Transplant

Finding an ideal kidney match

Donors of kidneys are classified into two types:

• Living donor (Related or Unrelated): A person who chooses to donate one of their kidneys and undergoes surgery to have it removed.
• Deceased donor: Permitted donation of usable organs after death.

To help increase the kidney transplant success rate, tests are required to determine if the donor and recipient is a good match. The 3 commonly conducted tests are:

• Blood type matching: compares the patient’s blood type to the blood type of a potential donor.
• Tissue matching: Measures and defines specific proteins, known as antigens, found in the blood and tissue proteins of the patient and potential donor.
• Crossmatching: It is a procedure that involves combining a small amount of the patient’s and potential donor’s cells.

If the patient has a potential living donor and the transplant team has determined that person is a good match, they will also be evaluated thoroughly at the transplant center. If everything goes as planned, the patient and the living donor will be scheduled for transplant surgery.

Kidney Transplant wait list

First, the transplant center will determine whether the patient’s insurance covers surgery as well as post-surgery medical needs. If they do not have a living donor, the transplant center will place them on their kidney waiting list and register their name on the national transplant waiting list. It can take anywhere from a few days to even months to find the right donor.

During The Kidney Transplant Procedure

Because kidney transplant procedure is performed under general anesthesia, the patient will not be awake during the procedure. Throughout the procedure, the surgical team monitors the heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen level.

The new kidney is implanted into the body through an incision in the lower part of one side of the abdomen. Unless the patient’s kidneys cause complications like high blood pressure, kidney stones, pain, or infection, they are left alone.

The new kidney’s blood vessels are connected to blood vessels in the lower part of the abdomen, just above one of the legs. The ureter (the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder) of the new kidney is connected to the bladder.

Post-Operative Procedure

Following the kidney transplant surgery, the patient will be admitted to the Transplant Intensive Care Unit (ICU). It’s a specialized unit where they will closely monitor the vitals.

The nurses will observe vital signs (blood pressure, pulse rate, temperature, and respiratory rate) to assess your condition.

The amount of liquid consumed orally and intravenously is measured and compared to the amount they urinate and drain through various tubes. These totals, along with weight, provide the team with important information about the fluid balance and kidney function.

Post-operative Procedure for Kidney Transplant

After leaving the hospital, the patient will need to be closely monitored for a few weeks to ensure that your new kidney is functioning properly and that your body is not rejecting it.

The doctors will also be on the lookout for signs of complications such as infection, bleeding, clots in the artery or vein, rejection of kidneys, weight gain and high blood pressure.

In the weeks following the transplant, the patient may need blood tests done multiple times per week and the medications may need to be adjusted.

If the patient lives in another town, it is advised to relocate near the transplant center during this time.

After the surgery, the patient is prescribed a number of medications. Immunosuppressants (anti-rejection medications) are medications that help prevent the immune system from attacking and rejecting your new kidney.

Additional medications help to lower the risk of other complications, such as infection, following the transplant.

Tips & Advice

Most kidney transplant surgery recipients are able to return to work and other normal activities within eight weeks of receiving their transplant. Nevertheless, it is important to:

• Maintain regular check-ups as you recover.
• Keep all of the scheduled appointments.
• In case of queries or concerns, please contact the Transplant Team.
• As directed by the Transplant Team, have your blood drawn as soon as possible.
• Adhere to the dietary plan that has been prescribed.
• Maintain the recommended fluid intake.
• Follow the exercise programme that has been recommended.
• Avoid being in the company of anyone who has an infection.

While healing, the patient should expect some soreness or pain around the incision site. That is normal and to be expected.

The new kidney will produce urine in the same way the old kidneys did when they were healthy. This process can start right away. In other cases, it could take several days, and the patient might need dialysis until your new kidneys start working properly.

Lifting heavy objects and strenuous physical work should be avoided for at least six to eight weeks after surgery. It is critical that the patient refrains from lifting anything heavier than 20 pounds for two to three months, and nothing heavier than 40 pounds for four to six months after the surgery.

How Can MyMedTrip.com Help You?

It is natural to be overwhelmed and concerned while traveling to a new place for medical treatment. Throughout your journey, we shall assist you, and provide a staff member who will help throughout the medical journey and will also assist through linguistic barriers.

Should you decide on traveling to India for medical assistance, you may email us at hi@mymedtrip.com or Whatsapp us +91 9818 2373 91. The first consultation arranged by us would be free of cost! Additionally, we also provide visa invitation letters and help in facilitating the medical journey to India.

For any further assistance/queries or questions related to kidney transplant surgery as well as services in India, do not hesitate to email us at the aforementioned address. We shall be glad to assist you and help you get well soon.

Frequently Asked Questions about Kidney Transplant

What is the average wait time for a kidney transplant?

In general, the average time frame for waiting can be 3-5 years at most canters and even longer in some geographical regions.

Is transplant the best option for patients with kidney disease?

Transplantation is the best option for the vast majority of patients. Although a kidney transplant is not a cure for kidney disease, it can help the patient live longer and with a higher quality of life.

When is the best time to explore a kidney transplant?

It is best to consider transplantation early in the course of the disease, before the patient needs to begin dialysis. This way, they may be able to receive a transplant ‘preemptively,’ without ever having to begin dialysis.

What would happen if my kidney transplant does not work? Will I die?

No, if the transplant fails, dialysis can be started or resumed or try for another transplant.

Can a person live longer with a transplant as compared to staying on dialysis?

Yes, patients who have a transplant generally live longer than patients who stay on dialysis.

How long does a transplanted kidney last?

Living donor transplants last for an average of 15-20 years and deceased donor transplants last for 10-15 years.

How many times can a kidney be transplanted?

A second and even third kidney transplant is possible, and the list continues with the possibility of a successful kidney transplant until number five.

Can a woman donate a kidney to a man?

Kidney transplants should be gender-matched. Male donor to female recipient kidney transplants are only possible in exceptional circumstances, and female donors to male recipients are not recommended, particularly in elderly patients with a history of dialysis.

What is the best age to donate a kidney?done twice?

To donate a kidney, one must be in good physical and mental health. As a general rule, they should be 18 years or olde

Will donating a kidney shorten my life?

No, donating a kidney does not affect a person’s life expectancy.