Treatment Details
Kidney Transplant
Overview
The kidney is a bean-shaped organ, about the size of a fist, located on each side of the upper abdomen. Humans have one pair of kidneys, their major function is to remove waste, toxic substances, and fluids from the body. They also maintain electrolyte balance in our body and produce hormones to regulate blood pressure.
When the kidney loses its ability to function, fluids and toxic substances start accumulating in the body. This elevates blood pressure and causes further complications. If not treated, it will lead to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), when the kidney could not perform most of its function.
When the kidney loses its ability to function, fluids and toxic substances start accumulating in the body. This elevates blood pressure and causes further complications. If not treated, it will lead to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), when the kidney could not perform most of its function.
Symptoms of Kidney Transplant
The signs and symptoms of kidney failure will vary depending on the underlying causes and the severity of the condition. During the initial state, the patient might not experience any symptoms, however, the symptoms will become more pronounced as the disease progresses.
Common symptoms are:
Severe and persistent itching on the skin.
Muscle cramps and weakness due to electrolyte imbalance.
Shortness of breath due to pulmonary edema.
Fatigue due to the build-up of toxins in the body, as the kidney fails to filter the waste product from the body.
Insomnia and sleep disturbances.
Problems in the bone and joint due to imbalance of calcium and phosphorus in the body.
Swelling (edema).
Anemia due to a decrease in the production of erythropoietin.
Hypertension.
Hyperkalemia.
Excessive thirst and frequent urination.
Reduce urination or changes in the color and odor of the urine.
Common symptoms are:
Severe and persistent itching on the skin.
Muscle cramps and weakness due to electrolyte imbalance.
Shortness of breath due to pulmonary edema.
Fatigue due to the build-up of toxins in the body, as the kidney fails to filter the waste product from the body.
Insomnia and sleep disturbances.
Problems in the bone and joint due to imbalance of calcium and phosphorus in the body.
Swelling (edema).
Anemia due to a decrease in the production of erythropoietin.
Hypertension.
Hyperkalemia.
Excessive thirst and frequent urination.
Reduce urination or changes in the color and odor of the urine.
Diagnosis of Kidney Transplant
To make sure you are well and to learn more about your kidney status, a number of tests and procedures will be carried out before and after your kidney transplant. These consist of:
Chest X-ray
Renal nuclear scan
CT scan
Magnetic resonance imaging
Kidney transplant ultrasound with Doppler
Blood group incompatible kidney transplantation
Kidney biopsy
Chest X-ray
Renal nuclear scan
CT scan
Magnetic resonance imaging
Kidney transplant ultrasound with Doppler
Blood group incompatible kidney transplantation
Kidney biopsy
Causes of Kidney Transplant
Causes can be congenital or acquired, GI or systemic, benign or malignant.
Causes of intestinal failure include:
Crohn’s Disease
Celiac Disease
Motility Problem
Radiation
Short Bowel Syndrome
Causes of intestinal failure include:
Crohn’s Disease
Celiac Disease
Motility Problem
Radiation
Short Bowel Syndrome
Treatment Options / Stages of Kidney Transplant
The kidney transplant procedure is always conducted under general anesthesia. The patient is carefully monitored by a surgical team including surgeons, anesthetists, and nurses.
An incision is made on the lower part of the abdomen.
The donated kidney is placed inside.
The blood vessels of the new kidney are attached to the blood vessels of the lower abdomen.
Also, the ureter of the new kidney is attached to the bladder of the patient.
The damaged kidney will not be removed and will be left in its original position unless it causes pain, infections, hypertension, or other complications.
The patient’s heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen level is continuously monitored throughout the process.
The patient will have to stay at the hospital until the surgeon considers him/her fit enough to be discharged. After that, it will be followed by multiple check-ups during the recovery period. Patients having kidney transplant are generally prescribed a lifelong medication of immunosuppressants and antibiotics.
An incision is made on the lower part of the abdomen.
The donated kidney is placed inside.
The blood vessels of the new kidney are attached to the blood vessels of the lower abdomen.
Also, the ureter of the new kidney is attached to the bladder of the patient.
The damaged kidney will not be removed and will be left in its original position unless it causes pain, infections, hypertension, or other complications.
The patient’s heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen level is continuously monitored throughout the process.
The patient will have to stay at the hospital until the surgeon considers him/her fit enough to be discharged. After that, it will be followed by multiple check-ups during the recovery period. Patients having kidney transplant are generally prescribed a lifelong medication of immunosuppressants and antibiotics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What Is The Typical Duration of Kidney Transplant?
A: Generally, kidney transplant usually last for two to three hours. The procedure is always carried out under general anesthesia.
Q: Do I Need To Fast Before Kidney Transplant Surgery?
A: In the majority of the cases, the patients are not allowed to drink or eat anything prior to 8 hours before the surgery. Also, avoid having a heavy meal on the evening before the surgery. Your surgeon will give you detailed information about what you can eat or drink, and how you should prepare.
Q: What Does Cadaveric Donor Means? How Can a Dead Person Kidney Function After Transplantation?
A: Cadaveric donors means deceased donors who have died either due to an injury or an accident. When a person dies, the heart continues to beat even after brain death, sometimes for several hours or even days, making it possible for the internal organs to function. During this period, the organ can be transplanted into the recipient’s body.
Q: Will The Transplant Kidney Functions Immediately After The Surgery?
A: This depends on how good the matching is between the donor and the recipient. Compared to a kidney from an unrelated donor or cadaveric donor, a kidney from a blood relative has a higher chance of functioning sooner. This is because the recipient’s body will take the new kidney more quickly and the family member’s kidney will fit the recipient’s blood and tissue type better. After surgery, a new kidney may begin to function the same day or it may take a few weeks.
Q: How Long Can Someone Live After Receiving a Kidney Transplant?
A: Following a kidney transplant, those in the 40–50 age range are assumed to have a life expectancy for approximately 22 years, while those in the 50–60 age it is expected to be 16 years. And somebody in their 60s can expect to live an additional 11.5 years following a successful kidney transplant.
A: Generally, kidney transplant usually last for two to three hours. The procedure is always carried out under general anesthesia.
Q: Do I Need To Fast Before Kidney Transplant Surgery?
A: In the majority of the cases, the patients are not allowed to drink or eat anything prior to 8 hours before the surgery. Also, avoid having a heavy meal on the evening before the surgery. Your surgeon will give you detailed information about what you can eat or drink, and how you should prepare.
Q: What Does Cadaveric Donor Means? How Can a Dead Person Kidney Function After Transplantation?
A: Cadaveric donors means deceased donors who have died either due to an injury or an accident. When a person dies, the heart continues to beat even after brain death, sometimes for several hours or even days, making it possible for the internal organs to function. During this period, the organ can be transplanted into the recipient’s body.
Q: Will The Transplant Kidney Functions Immediately After The Surgery?
A: This depends on how good the matching is between the donor and the recipient. Compared to a kidney from an unrelated donor or cadaveric donor, a kidney from a blood relative has a higher chance of functioning sooner. This is because the recipient’s body will take the new kidney more quickly and the family member’s kidney will fit the recipient’s blood and tissue type better. After surgery, a new kidney may begin to function the same day or it may take a few weeks.
Q: How Long Can Someone Live After Receiving a Kidney Transplant?
A: Following a kidney transplant, those in the 40–50 age range are assumed to have a life expectancy for approximately 22 years, while those in the 50–60 age it is expected to be 16 years. And somebody in their 60s can expect to live an additional 11.5 years following a successful kidney transplant.
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