Kidney Transplant: Steps, Cause & Procedures

A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure performed to treat patients with kidney failure. Kidney transplant cost is relatively high, considering it is a complicated surgery.  

People whose kidneys don’t work often undergo dialysis. It is an artificial method of filtering waste from the blood.

A person needs to undergo a kidney transplant due to end-stage renal disease. A person experiencing a kidney transplant usually gets one kidney. But in rare cases, both kidneys are transplanted from a deceased donor.

Who Needs Kidney Transplant?

Some conditions that might create the need for a kidney transplant are as follows:

• Recurring urinary tract infections
• Kidney failure due to uncontrolled diabetes
• Kidney failure due to high blood pressure
• Inherited kidney disorders like polycystic kidney disease
• A rare condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome which often leads to kidney failure
• Glomerulonephritis causes inflammation in the filtering units of the kidney
• Immune system disorders like lupus
• Congenital defects of the kidneys

What Is the cost of Kidney Transplantation India?

The cost of kidney transplantation in India is around Rs 7-10 lakhs. Kidney transplantation cost is influenced by factors like:

• The hospital
• Whether one or both kidneys are transplanted
• Recovery after transplantation

Steps to Get a Kidney Transplant

Once your doctor determines you are ideal for a kidney transplant, you will have to go through the following steps:

• Finding a Donor

You will find two types of kidney donors:

• Living donors: A living person agrees to donate one of their kidneys via surgery.
• Deceased donors: Both kidneys can be taken from a deceased donor. 

Several tests are conducted to determine whether the donor’s kidney is suitable for you. 

• Blood testing: It ensures you and your donor have the same blood group.
• Tissue matching: it measures specific proteins called antigens that are present in the donor and patient’s tissue.
• Crossmatching: It involves mixing a small number of cells from the patient and donor. 

• Undergoing Surgery

After an ideal donor is found, you will undergo kidney transplant surgery. Sometimes the damaged kidneys of the patients are removed. At other times, the damaged kidneys are left in their place. The new kidneys are inserted into the lower abdomen.

• Monitoring Complications

After surgery, a nephrologist will monitor you for signs of complications. You will have to pay regular visits to the doctor to avoid the risk of complications. 

You will also be required to undergo medical tests to ensure that your kidney transplant has been successful. Some common signs of complications after a kidney transplant are as follows:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Kidney stenosis or narrowing of the artery
• Kidney rejection
• Weight gain
• Blood clots in the vein or artery that restrict circulation and lead to kidney failure
• Cancer, as the use of immunosuppressant medications, makes you vulnerable to the disease
• High blood pressure

• Post-Operative Care

After a successful kidney transplant, you will have to maintain healthy habits to ensure that your new kidney functions correctly. You will be required to take medicines prescribed by your doctor. You will have to manage pre-existing health conditions like diabetes that lead to kidney failure.

The Procedure of Kidney Transplant

• You will be put under general anesthesia before kidney transplantation surgery. The anesthetic medication is injected into your arm through an IV.
• After the anesthesia puts you to sleep, a large incision is made into the abdomen. But advances in surgical tools enable surgeons to perform surgery by making a small incision. 
• Once the new kidney is placed into your abdomen, the veins and arteries in the new kidney are connected to your veins and arteries. It will result in the flow of blood through your new kidney.
• The ureter is also attached to the new kidney to ensure you can urinate normally.  

Choose the Best Kidney Transplant Hospital in India

If you need a kidney transplant, you should opt for the best kidney transplant hospital in India. Max Group Hospitals is the best for kidney transplants in India. Here are a few reasons why you should get your kidney transplant done from Max Group Hospitals:

• Best Doctors: The best and most experienced doctors are associated with the hospitals. Apart from the doctors, a team of expert medical professionals will care for you.
• World-Class Facilities: You will come across world-class facilities and infrastructure at Max Group Hospitals. The doctors use the latest tools and follow technological advances to offer the best care. 
• Hygiene: The hospitals operate, maintaining international standards of hygiene. You will have a low chance of infection after a kidney transplant surgery at Max Group Hospitals.

Best Aftercare: The doctors at the best kidney transplant hospital in India will ensure that you receive the best care after surgery. It will ensure you have no complications and lead a healthy life after your transplant.