Kidney Transplant In Turkey

What is a Kidney Transplant?

A Kidney or Renal transplant is an organ transplant that is performed in a patient with end-stage renal/kidney disease. The healthy kidney is obtained from the deceased or living donor and transplanted into the patient whose kidneys are no longer functional.

Kidney transplant surgery carries high risks of complications. But according to the National Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, the success rate after a kidney transplant with a living-donor kidney was reported as 97% at 1 year and 86% at 5 years. The success rate after transplant with a deceased-donor kidney was 96% at 1 year and 79% at 5 years.

Who performs Kidney Transplant Surgery?

Transplant surgeons with special qualifications in nephrology are the specialists that usually perform Kidney Transplant surgery.

Types of Kidney Transplant Surgery

There are 2 types of kidney transplant surgery according to the type of donor:

• Deceased Donor Kidney Transplant: A deceased-donor kidney transplant is performed, when a kidney from someone who has recently died is removed with the consent of the family and placed in a recipient whose kidneys have failed and are no longer functional and needs kidney transplantation
• Living Donor Kidney Transplant: A living-donor kidney transplant is performed, when a kidney from a living donor is removed and placed into a recipient whose kidneys are no longer functional. Only one kidney is donated to replace two failed kidneys. And donor can also survive with one healthy kidney. 

Preparations before Kidney Transplant Surgery

It is vital to prepare for the surgery appropriately.

• The first step for kidney transplant surgery is to find the donor, whose kidney is a match for the patient’s body. 
• The tests are performed to check the donor’s and the patient’s body compatibility. The new kidney will need to be similar to the other organs and tissues in patient’s body so that the immune system will not harm it.
• Diet and other lifestyle recommendations like quitting smoking and alcohol consumption,  according to the doctor’s advice should be followed by the patient before kidney transplant. 
• Ask your doctor before taking any medicines like aspirin, paracetamol, etc. 

How long does Kidney Transplant Surgery take?

Kidney transplant surgery depends upon the type of transplant. If the donor is living then it takes more time to transplant. It takes 4-5 hours in kidney transplant surgery.  

Risks Associated with Kidney Transplant

Outcomes and complication rates after kidney transplant surgery are very high. Some of the critical risks associated with Kidney transplant surgery are;

• Blood clots and bleeding.
• Leaking from or blockage of the tube (ureter) that links the kidney to the bladder.
• Infection.
• Tissue rejection means failure or rejection of the donated kidney.
• Infection or cancer can be transmitted with the donated kidney.