Kidney Transplantation

Kidney transplantation (scientifically also known as renal transplantation), is a kind of organ transplant in which a healthy kidney is taken from one person and surgically placed into someone who has damaged or failure kidney. As a result of this transplantation, new transplanted kidney takes over the work of the damaged kidneys that are failed, and patient no longer needs of dialysis. As the kidneys play some vital roles in body function, not only by filtering the blood and getting rid of waste products, but also by balancing levels of electrolytes in the body, controlling blood pressure, and stimulating the production of red blood cells; it becomes life threatening when a person suffers with serious kidney dysfunction or damage and can not live without dialysis. In such conditions, conventional medical treatments do not give cure and transplantation of kidney is the only solution.

Exact cause is not identified, however there are some factors that may increase the risk of kidney failure are- hypovolemia (low blood volume) due to blood loss, dehydration from loss of body fluid (vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, fever), poor intake of fluids, medication, for example, diuretics ("water pills") may cause excessive water loss, loss of blood supply to the kidney due to obstruction of the renal artery or vein, prostate cancer, tumors in the abdomen that surround and obstruct the uterus and Kidney stones. There are some basic factors that may increase Some common symptoms that can be experienced due to kidney problem are- urinating less than usual, urinary problems (frequency, urgency), bleeding - due to impaired clotting, from any site, easy bruising, fatigue, confusion, nausea, vomiting, increased acidity of the body, loss of appetite, pain - in the muscles, joints, flanks, chest, bone pain or fractures and pale skin (from anemia).

Surgery for kidney transplantation is performed under general anesthesia so that patient will asleep throughout the procedure. Surgery begins by making an incision in the abdomen, near the hip bone. One kidney from a donor is removed with its blood vessels. The new kidney is then attached to recipient's abdomen at the normal location. To avoid the high risk of rejection of new planted kidney by the recipient's body, almost all kidney transplant recipients must take medicines (immunosuppressive therapy) that suppress their immune response for the rest of their life. Kidney transplant surgery involves connecting the renal artery and vein according to the kidney's new location. Blood supply is restored to make the kidney work properly and allow it to start producing urine. At last, the urethra from the donor kidney is connected to the bladder. Surgical procedure takes about three hours to complete. One week stay at the hospital is required for the patient. After the 3 to 6 weeks of the surgery, both the recipient and donor can resume their daily activities, including going back to work. It is advised to patient that- be in regular touch with the doctor after a few days of transplantation.