Kidney Transplant Treatment in Patiala

What happens to a machine, when a part is worn beyond repair? We replace it with a new one so the machine won’t stop. The human body is complex, living machinery that works with the combined efforts of all the organs contained inside it. Each organ plays its own unique role in keeping us alive. When an organ fails to work as per requirement, it is said to undergo failure. This failure could be attributed to disease, injury, or genetic deformity.

What is Kidney Failure?

Kidney failure is when the kidneys lose their filtering ability and cannot regulate blood pressure and the body's fluid levels. 

The kidneys also regulate electrolyte concentrations, which help regulate blood pressure. End-Stage Renal Disease is when the kidneys lose about 90% of their ability. It requires regular dialysis or a kidney transplant to stay alive.

The most common causes of end-stage kidney disease include: 

• Diabetes

• Chronic Uncontrolled High Blood Pressure

• Chronic Glomerulonephritis- scarring of the kidney filters 

• Polycystic Kidney Disease.

Kidney Transplant

A kidney Transplant is a medical procedure in which a healthy kidney is transplanted into a patient suffering from acute kidney failure or end-stage renal disease. The healthy kidney may be sourced from a living, healthy donor who happens to be a compatible match for the recipient. Such cases are called living donations. When a kidney from a deceased person is transplanted into a patient needing transplant, we call it a deceased donation. 

A kidney transplant may be an option if your kidneys have been completely damaged. End-stage renal disease (ESRD) or end-stage kidney disease is the term used to describe this ailment (ESKD). If you get to this point, your doctor will probably suggest dialysis. Your doctor will analyze your medical reports to determine whether you are a suitable candidate for a kidney transplant in addition to starting you on dialysis.

To be a suitable candidate for a transplant, you must be in sufficient health to undergo major surgery and be willing to follow the advised regimen after surgery. A kidney transplant may be risky or unlikely to be effective if you have a major underlying medical condition. These severe situations comprise significant illnesses, such as tuberculosis, bone infections, hepatitis, or recent history of malignancy, cancer, severe cardiovascular disease, or liver illness. 

You must undergo an evaluation at a transplant clinic if your doctor believes you will benefit from the procedure and you are interested in having one. This assessment typically takes place over numerous visits in order to evaluate your psychological and physical health. Additionally, they'll perform a thorough physical examination on you to make sure you're fit enough for surgery. At Manipal Hospitals Patiala, we have highly qualified and experienced nephrologists in Patiala, who can guide you on various aspects related to kidney transplants and other common procedures. Bookmark our blog page for reliable information about various diseases and their treatment options.

Types of Kidney Transplant

Here are some of the common procedures done to treat kidney disorders and kidney transplants:

• Deceased-Donor Kidney Transplant

Deceased-Donor Kidney Transplant is a kidney transplant from a recently deceased person into a recipient whose kidneys have failed. 

The surgeon stores the donated kidney on ice or connects it to a device for maintaining oxygen and nutrients until the transplant. 

One kidney can help a person sustain their life, and a kidney transplant provides higher chances of survival and better life than a regular lifetime of dialysis. To know more, consult with our experts.

• Living-Donor Kidney Transplant

A Living-Donor Kidney Transplant replaces a failed kidney. The procedure involves removing a healthy kidney from a matching living donor and placing it into the recipient with failed kidneys.

As only one donated kidney can replace two failed kidneys, the living-donor kidney transplant is an effective alternative to a deceased-donor kidney transplant.

Once doctors find a close family member or a donor with a matching kidney, it takes significantly less time and prevents possible complications and health deterioration. Living donor transplant has better survival rates than deceased-donor transplant.

Close family members have a high chance of being compatible with the recipient as they share similar genetic makeup, which helps in reducing the risk of rejection. 

Doctors conduct a blood and tissue compatibility test with the donor before surgery. In case a close match is not found, doctors can also transplant by desensitising the receiver's immune system. 

• Preemptive Kidney Transplant

A Preemptive Kidney Transplant occurs before the kidneys have deteriorated to the point of needing dialysis. Although preemptive kidney transplants are considered a better treatment for end-stage kidney disease, only a tiny percentage of people get this process because of factors like donor shortage.

A preemptive transplant has a lower risk of rejection, higher survival rates, and better quality of life. It also avoids dialysis along with various health and lifestyle complications. The transplant has to undergo a living donor or a deceased donor transplant.

• Hemodialysis

The use of artificial support of a machine to filter blood, which uses synthetic membranes to process wastes from the blood. The process is designed to mimic the natural process which takes place inside the kidneys. This process is used to support kidney function while a patient is undergoing treatment for the underlying disease which is hampering overall kidney function. It may also be used as a backup mechanism until a compatible donor is found for a kidney transplant. 

• Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy

This is a type of therapy that is used for patients experiencing Acute Kidney Infection (AKI). This therapy also filters out blood using the artificial support of a specialized machine. During this therapy, the filters remove specific uremic toxins from the blood and return waste-free blood back to the body. This procedure usually takes up to 24 h to complete, as it is done at a slow pace to mimic natural body processes. This is exceptionally beneficial for patients suffering from unstable blood pressure or heart rates, which is termed a hemodynamically unstable condition in medical terminology. 

• Peritoneal Dialysis

This is a dialysis procedure that utilizes the peritoneal cavity or abdominal region of the body as the membrane for dialysis procedure. The procedure helps balance electrolytes and remove wastes from the blood. This is a sustained procedure, which has good outcomes for patients suffering from pre-existing heart conditions. The downside of the procedure is the possible chances of infection in the abdomen. 

While medical technology-assisted dialysis is a procedure that has become a life-saving alternative for patients suffering from kidney disorders, a Kidney Transplant is the ultimate cure for lasting relief. Peritoneal dialysis may be performed at regular intervals in a patient throughout the day, this is known as Continous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) or it may be done at a continuous stretch during the night, known as Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD).

Complexities of Kidney Transplant

A kidney transplant is an effective procedure that involves removing one kidney from the body and replacing it with a healthy kidney from another person. The new kidney will start working immediately after surgery. 

The risks of kidney transplant include:

• The body can reject the kidney in rare cases. 

• Some immunosuppressant drugs may have side effects like increased hair growth, weight gain, bone thinning, acne, and risk of certain skin cancers.

• Some kidney diseases may return after a transplant in rare cases.

At Manipal Hospitals, the best kidney transplant surgeons in Patiala work with other experts to ensure minimal risk during the procedures. Visit our best multi-specialty hospital in Patiala to have the best treatment and care.