Department of Kidney Transplant

KTP or kidney transplant is a life-saving procedure that involves the replacement of the damaged or non-functional kidneys of a patient with a new kidney taken from a matched donor. It is a major surgery that can take upto 4 hours. After the procedure, the patient requires months of recovery and rehabilitation. Anti-rejection medicines are also prescribed  to decrease athe risk of organ rejection. 

Why choose SHALBY Sanar International Hospitals for Kidney Transplant Procedure?
The Kidney Transplant Unit at SHALBY Sanar International Hospitals is a state-of-the-art facility backed by unparalleled expertise of our team, consisting of expert nephrologists, transplant surgeons, anaesthesiologists, specialised nurses and medical technicians, all having years of experience in the field. We use innovative techniques and leading-edge technology to offer the finest treatments to our patients while adhering to strict benchmarks of quality and safety. We constantly strive to deliver the best care to patients with 24/7 availability. 

What is Kidney Transplant Procedure?
A kidney transplant is a surgical intervention that involves the surgical replacement of the diseased or damaged kidneys of a patient with a healthy kidney taken from a living or deceased donor. The procedure has proved to be a ray of hope for terminally ill patients suffering from end-stage renal disease. The surgery aims to restore normal renal function. This helps to relieve pain and other symptoms, as well as to add some quality years to the patient's life. The procedure is safe for adults and children and generally takes around 3 to 4 hours.

What are the different types of Kidney Transplant Procedure?
Kidney transplant is broadly classified into the following three types:

• Deceased-Donor Kidney Transplants - It is a type of kidney transplant in which the healthy kidney is taken from the body of a person who has  recently passed away, provided they have a donor card or their family consents to the donation. In this case, the doctors can remove both the kidneys of the deceased person and use them to save the lives of 2 different people. 
• Living-Donor Kidney Transplants -It is a type of kidney transplant in which a healthy kidney is taken from the body of a healthy, living person willing to donate. In this case, only one kidney can be removed and used to save the life of a single recipient. 

Why does one need Kidney Transplant?
We all know that the kidneys help remove unwanted fluids and wastes from the body; however, there are many more vital functions that the kidneys are involved in. These tiny, bean-shaped organs play a crucial role in regulating the healthy balance of salts and minerals in our blood. It also plays a role in the production of the active form of Vitamin D and monitors the production of red blood cells. If somehow, the kidneys are not able to carry out these functions, it can lead to life-threatening complications and even death. Such conditions can give rise to the need for a kidney transplant. 

Who needs Kidney Transplant ?
A kidney transplant is an option for patients who have been diagnosed with complete renal failure, which can be due to a variety of conditions, such as:

• Diabetes - Approximately 422 million people across the globe are currently living with diabetes. The chronic disease accounts for 1.5 million deaths every year, and if we speak of India alone, 77 million above the age of 18 are suffering from the condition. Diabetes is marked by the excessive build-up of glucose in the blood, which can be due to insufficient production of insulin by the pancreas or the inability of the produced insulin to convert glucose into energy.
• Glomerulonephritis - With a global incidence of 1.3 per 100,000 people/year, glomerulonephritis accounts for nearly 25 per cent of all end-stage kidney diseases. It is an autoimmune disease marked by severe damage to the glomeruli, i.e. the cleaning units of the kidney. Glomerulonephritis can result from an underlying disease or ailment and carries potential risks, such as irreversible kidney damage.
• Pyelonephritis - With a global incidence of 120-130/100,000/year and 30-40/100,000/year for women and men, respectively, pyelonephritis is a term used for an infection of the kidney which usually starts within the urethra. The condition can spread to both of the kidneys and requires immediate medical care. If left untreated, it can lead to irreversible renal damage, and the bacteria can enter the blood stream, resulting in life-threatening complications. Pyelonephritis can affect both kidneys at the same time. 
• Polycystic Kidney Disease - PKD or polycystic kidney disease is a type of genetic/inherited disorder marked by the development of a cluster of cysts in the kidneys, leading to an abnormal increase in their size. Over a period, this results in the gradual loss of kidney function, giving rise to severe complications, including kidney failure. Unlike tumours, which are solid masses or lumps, these are tiny fluid-filled sacs that tend to grow very large. 
• Obstructive Uropathy - Obstructive uropathy is a structural/functional disorder marked by an obstruction in the urinary tract that disrupts the flow of urine through it. Instead of flowing out of the body, the urine starts to flow back towards the kidneys and gets accumulated there. Obstructive uropathy can affect people of any age group and may even be congenital. 
• Congenital Urinary Tract Abnormalities - Congenital urinary tract abnormalities or CAKUT is an umbrella term used for a wide range of developmental abnormalities that affect any part of the urinary tract. These problems are present since birth, i.e. a baby is born with them.  Congenital urinary tract abnormalities can be both structural and functional. The severity of the condition varies from one child to another, often leading to an increased susceptibility to urinary tract infections. In extreme cases, it can also lead to kidney failure.
• Alport's Disease. Alport syndrome is an inherited disease marked by severe inflammation of the kidneys, which also affects a child's hearing and vision. The condition damages the tiny blood vessels that are present in the kidneys and leads to the gradual loss of renal function, eventually resulting in end-stage renal disease or ESRD. Alport syndrome affects approximately 1 in 50,000 babies. 
• Hypertension - Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure is marked by an abnormal increase in blood pressure that puts an additional strain on the blood vessels and gradually damages them. A person is said to have high blood pressure if his BP is greater than or equal to 140/90 mmHg. The condition can drastically affect the blood vessels that are responsible for supplying oxygenated blood to the kidneys. The renal cells are deprived of oxygen and nutrients, which leads to the gradual loss of kidney function. 
• Interstitial Nephritis - Interstitial nephritis is a condition marked by swelling in the tubules, i.e. the kidneys' filtering units. The condition drastically affects normal renal function, preventing the kidneys from purifying blood and producing urine. 
• IgA Nephropathy - IgA nephropathy is also referred to as Berger's disease. It is marked by the build-up of IgA or immunoglobulin A in the kidneys, leading to severe inflammation. IgA is a type of protein produced by the immune system that helps fight infections. In patients with IgA nephropathy, the protein accumulates in the kidneys and damages their filtering units, i.e. the glomeruli. Gradually, it leads to scarring and progresses to complete renal failure. 
• Goodpasture’s Syndrome - Goodpasture’s syndrome, also known as Anti-GBM disease, is a rare autoimmune disorder in which the body starts to attack 2 of the most vital organs, i.e. the lungs and the kidneys. A patient suffering from the condition usually presents with pulmonary haemorrhage and glomerulonephritis. It is most commonly seen in people who are in their 20s or those who are above 60. Men are more susceptible to Goodpasture’s syndrome as compared to women. The condition can prove to be potentially life-threatening without timely medical intervention. 

How to prepare for a kidney transplant?
A kidney transplant is a major procedure and there are several factors to be considered  prior to the procedure.

• Firstly, you need to talk to your doctor about the procedure and get all your queries answered. This is important as you need to be prepared both physically and mentally.
• You will need to undergo a few tests, which will help the doctors to analyze the extent of damage and make it easier for them to plan the surgery.
• You will need to get your medical history assessed by your doctor to make sure you are not taking any medicines or have a pre-existing condition that could interfere with the results of the surgery.
• You need to inform your doctor about any allergies that you have had in the past.
• You have to make the necessary arrangements at home to make sure that you have a hassle-free experience post-discharge

What happens during the procedure?

• You will be sedated throughout the procedure so that you do not feel any pain or discomfort.
• The nurse will start an intravenous line to administer medicines and nutritional fluids during and even after the procedure.
• Doctors will first remove a healthy kidney from the donor's body and store it at a cold temperature.
• The damaged kidneys are then removed from the patient's body and replaced with the healthy kidney. All the blood vessels will be connected to restore blood flow to the new kidney.
• The incision is cleaned and closed, and you will be shifted to the observation room.

What to expect after the procedure?

• After the procedure, you will be kept under observation in the observation room. Once you gain consciousness, you will be taken to your room. 
• It is normal to feel pain and discomfort before the procedure. This can be managed with the help of prescribed pain medication.
• You will need to make certain dietary modifications which will be recommended by an expert dietician. 
• You will need to take prescribed medication, which includes anti-rejection drugs. 
• Doctors may recommend some changes in your daily activity level, which are to be followed religiously.