WHAT IS KIDNEY TRANSPLANT?
A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure where a healthy kidney from a living or deceased donor is implanted into a patient with end –stage kidney disease or chronic kidney failure. The transplanted kidney takes over the failed kidneys helping to filter waste products and excess fluids from the blood.
BENEFITS OF KIDNEY TRANSPLANT
◆ It provides a longer and healthier life with most people living longer and having a better quality life compared to those on dialysis.
◆ Patients who undergo a transplant often report having more energy and feeling more able to cope with work and everyday activities.
◆ Additionally a transplant can improve physical health, allowing recipients to work, drive, exercise, and play sports
◆ For those of childbearing age, a kidney transplant can also improve fertility
◆ The dietary restrictions are fewer after transplant compared to dialysis.
◆ A pre-emptive transplant, which is a transplant before dialysis can lead to better outcomes and a lower risk of rejection.
RISKS OF KIDNEY TRANSPLANT
◆ Infections
◆ Bleeding
◆ Rejection of the transplanted kidney
LIVING KIDNEY TRANSPLANT DONOR
◆ Must be above 18yrs
◆ 18-70 yrs
◆ The donor and recipient must have compatible blood types. If not, they may be eligible for a planned exchange program
◆ Donors should be in good health without uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, heart diseases or active alcohol and substance abuse issues.
◆ Must be willing to donate of their own free will and without monetary gain or mental coercion.
◆ Must have full knowledge of the risks and complications that could occur during surgery.
DECEASED DONOR
In a deceased –donor kidney transplant, a kidney from someone who has just died is given to one who needs a kidney. The kidney is harvested from the person who just died with the consent of the family or based on a donor consent. The donated kidney is either stored on ice or hooked to a machine. The machine provides oxygen and nutrients until the kidney is transplanted into the person who needs it. The donor and recipient are often in the same geographical region. This helps the transplant center reduce the time the kidney is outside the human body.
Everyone waiting for a deceased donor organ is registered on a national waiting list. The waiting list is a computer system that stores information on people waiting for a kidney. When a deceased donor kidney becomes available, information about that kidney is entered into the computer system to look for a match. The computer generates a potential match based on several factors. These include blood type, tissue type, how long the person has been on the waiting list and distance between the donor hospital and transplant hospital. Deceased kidney can remain viable outside the body for 24 to 36 hours.
NOTE: Deceased kidney organ donation is not done in this hospital
KIDNEY TRANSPLANT IN KUTRRH
◆ Clinics are carried out every Tuesdays as from 11am to 3pm
◆ Donors undergo a series of medical and psychological evaluations, including various lab tests and exams to ensure they are healthy enough to
donate.
◆ A team of consultants and other health workers are also involved in patients’ preparations i.e. Urologists, cardiologists, vascular surgeon, nutritionists etc.
◆ Medical evaluations are also done to the recipient for compatibility purposes i.e. HLA
Read more:Ministry of Health