Procedure for Kidney Transplant (Living Related Donor)

Kidney Transplant Procedure

Kidney transplant is surgical procedure used for replacing damaged/diseased kidneys with a healthy kidney of a donor.

Kidney Transplant Indications

The following are a few conditions in which kidney transplant can be considered:

• End-Stage Renal Disease
• Patient undergoing dialysis
• Stage 4 or 5 chronic renal disease
• Chronic kidney disease patients with Diabetes type 1 condition and not responding to medicines (In this condition, usually a kidney-pancreas transplant is recommended).

Kidney Transplant Surgery

• The kidney transplant surgery is done under the general anesthesia
• The procedure can take up to 3 hours
• An incision is made in the lower abdomen
• The donor’s/new kidney is replaced with the diseased kidney. The blood supply (by artery and vein) of the new kidney is restored.
• The ureter (the tubes which transports urine) is then secured to the urinary bladder
• The incision is then closed with suture

Post Operative Recovery

When the kidney donation is completed, the patient is usually hospitalized approximately 6 - 10 days. However, it takes approximately 6 months for a complete recovery.

Kidney Transplant Cost

The renal transplantation costs approximately $ 4600 to $ 6250

Kidney Transplant Life Expectancy

The approximate life expectancy for a kidney transplant is 10-12 years if it is from a deceased donor, and 15 years if the kidney is donated by a live and donor is from the same family.

Frequent Asked Questions

Some frequently asked questions on kidney transplant are:

Q. What are the types of kidney/renal transplant?

A. There are 2 types of kidney transplant procedures usually done. They are:

• Deceased-donor kidney transplant
• Living-donor kidney transplant

Apart from these procedures, another type of kidney transplant is called pre-emptive renal transplantation.

Q. What are the risks factors involved for a renal transplant?

A.Following are some of the risks involved in a renal transplant:

• Death can occur in less than 1 %
• Other surgical complications include:
  • Infection
  • Fever
  • Bleeding
  • Blood clots
  • Kidney failure in 5 to 10 % patients (in the first year)

Q. Does the quality of life improve after the transplant?

A. In most patients a renal transplantation is responsible for improving the quality of life.