Description

Kidney Transplant is a life-saving surgical procedure for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 5, where a healthy kidney from a donor is placed into a patient whose kidneys no longer function adequately. 🧬 Types of Kidney Transplants Living Donor Transplant Donor is usually a family member, friend, or altruistic stranger. Better long-term outcomes due to reduced ischemia time and planned surgery. Deceased Donor Transplant Kidney is harvested from a person who has recently died and consented to organ donation. Wait times can be long depending on region and blood/tissue compatibility. Preemptive Transplant Done before the patient starts dialysis. Associated with better outcomes and fewer complications. 🧪 Evaluation Process To qualify for a kidney transplant, a patient must go through: Blood tests (HLA typing, PRA, blood group) Imaging studies Cardiovascular evaluation Cancer screening Infectious disease workup Psychosocial evaluation ⛑️ Surgical Procedure Overview The donor kidney is usually placed in the lower abdomen (iliac fossa). The renal artery and vein are connected to the recipient’s iliac vessels. The ureter is connected to the bladder. Native kidneys are usually left in place unless they are causing complications. 💊 Post-Transplant Care Immunosuppressive Therapy Prevents rejection (e.g., tacrolimus, mycophenolate, steroids) Lifelong adherence required Monitoring for Rejection Lab tests (creatinine, urine output) Biopsy if suspicion of rejection arises Infection Prophylaxis Patients are at higher risk for infections due to immunosuppression Lifestyle Adjustments Diet, regular follow-ups, and medication compliance are essential 🚨 Risks & Complications Rejection (acute or chronic) Infections (opportunistic and routine) Cardiovascular disease Malignancies (due to long-term immunosuppression) Graft failure 📊 Outcomes 1-year survival rates: Over 95% for living donor grafts Graft survival: ~15–20 years with good management Improved quality of life and life expectancy compared to dialysis

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