Kidney Transplant
A Kidney Transplant is a surgical procedure in which a healthy kidney from a donor is placed into a person whose kidneys no longer function properly (end-stage renal disease). It is considered the best treatment for many patients with advanced kidney failure compared to long-term dialysis.
1. Definition
-
Replacement of a failed kidney with a healthy donor kidney.
-
The new kidney is usually placed in the lower abdomen (iliac fossa) and connected to the recipient’s blood vessels and bladder.
-
The diseased kidneys are usually not removed, unless there’s infection, cancer, or very large polycystic kidneys.
2. Indications
End-stage renal disease (ESRD) due to:
- Diabetes mellitus (most common cause)
- Hypertension
- Chronic glomerulonephritis
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Congenital kidney problems
3. Donor Types
Living donor
- Related (family member)
- Unrelated (spouse, friend)
Deceased donor
- From a person who has died (brain-dead or cardiac-death donor)
4. Advantages over Dialysis
- Better quality of life
- Longer survival
- Freedom from dialysis
- Fewer dietary restrictions
5. Post-Transplant Care
- Lifelong immunosuppressive drugs (to prevent rejection) – e.g., tacrolimus, cyclosporine, mycophenolate, steroids
- Regular monitoring of kidney function (blood tests, urine tests)
- Infection prevention and healthy lifestyle
A kidney transplant is the best treatment for patients with end-stage kidney failure. It improves survival and quality of life compared to dialysis but requires lifelong medicines and monitoring to prevent rejection.