The Kidneys are vital organs in the body responsible for filtering out waste and preventing many infections and basic diseases in the body. This is a function that is very essential for the body. This filtration is very important for the body to function accurately. Apart from this, the kidneys perform the critical function of regulating the body salts, potassium and acid content. Your kidneys make hormones that help control your blood pressure, make red blood cells and keeping your bones strong and healthy.

Having told a few words about the vital functions of Kidneys, now let us get through everything you need to know about a kidney transplant.

What is a Kidney Transplant?

A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure done to treat kidney failure. Patients whose kidneys failed will undergo a treatment called dialysis. This treatment mechanically filters the waste in the blood when the kidneys stop working. Some patients qualify for a kidney transplant. In this, one or both kidneys are replaced with donor kidneys from a live or deceased person. A kidney transplant will receive yourself from your longtime dialysis treatment Even though you are born with two kidneys, one can lead a healthy life with one healthy kidney. If both the kidneys are not doing their functions, then the ideal way is to get a kidney transplant.

Who needs a transplant?

When you have an End-Stage Renal Disease, your doctor will recommend dialysis. Your doctor may recommend a kidney transplant if he feels that you are eligible for a transplant. For a kidney transplant, you need to be healthy enough for a major surgery and to hold a strict, lifelong medication and diet post surgery. If you have any other medical complications, then it is difficult to get a kidney transplant. Your doctor will analyse your general health condition and your vitals before deciding on the Kidney transplant. Other than clinical conditions, if you have the habit of smoking, drinking or using drugs, then your doctor may not recommend a transplant.

Deciding on the transplant will involve several tests and analysis of your physical, psychological and other vitals. Once you are eligible for a kidney transplant, then either your family members can donate you a kidney or you will have to wait to get a match for your body. A family member whose tissue and blood are matching yours and who is willing to donate you a kidney will be more ideal as the chance of kidney rejection by your body is very less. If there are no family members or friends whose kidney is matching, then the other option is kidney from deceased, in this case, deceased by accident, not by disease. The chance of rejection is high in this case as your body may or may not accept the kidney.  

How Kidney is matched?

As there will be various evaluation tests before the decision of transplant, you will have a test to determine your blood type and your Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA). This antigen is responsible for your body’s immune response. Hence this evaluation is very important. If your HLA type matches with your donor’s type, then the chances are rejection is very less. Each person will have six antigens in their body. The more matching number of antigen with your donor’s then the chance of rejection will be very less.

What is the clinical procedure of surgery?

If there is a matching kidney available, then the transplant surgery can be planned. A kidney transplant surgery generally takes 3 hours to a maximum of 5 hours. A General Anaesthesia will be administered for the surgery. Then the surgeon will make an incision in the abdomen. Then the donor kidney will be placed inside by connecting the blood vessels to the donor’s kidney. Your kidney will not be removed unless and until they are infected or it causes pain. Then the surgeon will connect the ureter to the bladder.

The incision will be closed by stitches or staples depending on the cases. In some cases, a stent may be inserted to help in the free flow of urine which will be removed within 6 to 12 weeks. 

Post-Op Recovery

Although you will be able to walk in two days, you will need to stay in the hospital for about five to ten days depending on the case. You will be advised not to drive or lift heavy objects for a month. You will also be given some special medications in order to avoid rejection of kidney by the body. Those should be taken regularly as advised by the doctor. There will be frequent visits to the doctor for the initial weeks. This is to ensure that the general health conditions are intact and the body’s reaction to the donor's kidney. Recovery will be speedy if you keep yourself active and in the limit advised by the doctor. After some weeks, your doctor will advise on starting a few exercises. Giving up smoking and drinking are key ways to stay healthy. Following a healthy diet plan in consultation with a dietician will help in a speedy recovery as you need to choose the food so as to keep your blood pressure and blood sugar normal.