About Kidney Transplant

Kidney transplantation, also known as renal transplant, is a treatment for kidney failure. Patients who require dialysis have their kidneys removed, as this process manually filters waste from the blood when the kidneys are unable to do so.

Kidney transplants are life-saving procedures that replace a failing kidney with a healthy one from either a living or deceased donor.

Procedure of Kidney Transplant

A kidney transplant is performed under general anesthesia, which involves administering medication to induce sleep during the surgery. The anesthesia is delivered through an intravenous (IV) line placed in the patient’s hand or arm.

The procedure begins with a comprehensive evaluation of the patient’s overall health and kidney function, including a series of tests to determine their suitability for transplantation. For living donor transplants, a compatible living donor—often a family member or friend—is identified and assessed for compatibility. In the case of deceased donor kidneys, these organs come from individuals who have chosen to be organ donors. Crossmatching is conducted to ensure compatibility between the donor and recipient, focusing on blood type and tissue matching, which helps minimize the risk of organ rejection.

If the patient is deemed a suitable candidate and a donor kidney is available, they are placed on the national transplant waiting list for deceased donor kidneys.

Following the surgery, the recipient is closely monitored in the intensive care unit (ICU), where medical staff check vital signs, kidney function, and any signs of rejection. To prevent the body from rejecting the new kidney, patients must take immunosuppressive medications for the rest of their lives. These medications suppress the immune system, helping to ensure that the donor kidney is accepted and functions properly.