For patients with end-stage kidney failure or chronic kidney disease, a kidney transplant is often considered a life-saving procedure. While patients can briefly benefit from being on dialysis, kidney transplantation offers a permanent and more effective solution, which can help patients by restoring overall health, improving the quality of life of the patients, and increasing their life expectancy. Whether a person is a patient, a donor, a caretaker, or even someone who is just curious to know about the process of organ donation, it is of utmost importance for them to understand and be aware of the steps that are involved in the process. Contrary to what people might generally think, the process of a kidney transplant starts long before the surgery. This involves the evaluation of the condition of the patient to determine whether they are suitable for the transplant or not. This involves several medical tests, psychological assessments, and expert advice from various specialists. After a patient has cleared all the required eligibility criteria, the next step involves finding a donor. This donor can either be a living person, mostly family members and friends, or a deceased donor who has pledged to donate their organs through an organ registry. In this article, we will discuss in detail the process of Kidney Transplant Surgery in Mohali and the steps involved in it.
What is a kidney transplant?
Before getting to the process of a Kidney Transplant Surgery, let us discuss what a kidney transplant actually is. A kidney transplant is a surgery in which a healthy kidney from a donor is placed in the body of a patient whose kidneys are no longer functioning properly. These healthy kidneys can come from either a living donor or a deceased donor. A living donor means that the healthy kidney is coming from a person who is still alive. These kinds of donors are most commonly immediate family members, spouses, friends, etc. Living donor kidney transplants are generally more successful with a lower risk of rejection. A living donor must be above 18 years of age and a healthy individual. Talking about a deceased donor, in this case, the kidneys come from a donor who has just died because of issues that do not affect the health and functioning of their kidneys. People who want to donate their organs posthumously can elect to do so while they are still alive. These types of transplants occur more frequently.
What are the criteria for a kidney transplant?
The criteria used to determine whether a patient is eligible for a kidney transplant might vary from place to place and case to case. However, some of the most common criteria for the same include:
- End-stage kidney failure or the patient being on dialysis
- Chronic Kidney Disease with GFR lower than or equal to 20 mL/min
- A full understanding and awareness of the post-operative precautions and care
- The patient must be in good overall physical and mental health with good social support.
While there are no age limits for a kidney transplant, most facilities across the world accept recipients who are older than 17 years of age. More than age, the eligibility of a patient depends on the criteria mentioned above.
What happens during the procedure of a kidney transplant?
The process of Kidney Transplant Surgery in Mohali involves the placement of a healthy kidney from a donor into the body of the patient, where it can perform all the functions that a damaged kidney is unable to fulfill. The steps involved include:
- Anesthesia: The patient is administered general anesthesia to ensure they are not conscious during the procedure.
- Incision: An incision is made on the lower part of the abdomen, typically on the left or the right side.
- Placement and Vascular Connection: The new kidneys are placed in the abdominal cavity of the patient, and their blood vessels are attached to the corresponding blood vessels of the patient.
- Ureter Connection and Closing: The ureter of the new kidney is connected to the bladder of the patient, and the incision is closed.
- Recovery and Medications: After the surgery, the patient is kept under close monitoring in a recovery area to ensure their stability and proper functioning of the new kidney.
Kidney transplant is a major procedure that not only gives patients a new chance at life but also improves their overall health and well-being. However, it is a very delicate procedure that requires the expertise and experience of the Best nephrologists in Mohali. Hence, patients thinking of kidney transplants must make sure that they are choosing the best surgeons in their region for the same.
If you are looking for the Best robotic kidney transplant surgery near me or the kidney specialist hospitals in Mohali, Sohana Hospital Mohali might be the best option for you. Sohana Hospital has a unique combination of the World’s Most Advanced Technology and North India’s most trusted and experienced team of Urology Surgeons who provide the most comprehensive and holistic care for all the kidney-related issues of the patients with the most compassionate and patient-centric approach.