Kidney Transplant Common Questions

A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure that involves placing a healthy kidney from a donor (living or deceased) into the body of a person whose kidneys are no longer functioning properly. Kidney transplantation is one of the most common transplant surgeries performed around the world. This is a life-saving procedure for individuals with advanced renal disease (such as kidney failure or chronic end-stage kidney disease), which occurs when the kidneys are no longer able to filter waste products or toxins from the body.

The first stage toward receiving a transplant is an evaluation at a transplant hospital. If you have a living donor who wishes to donate a kidney to you, you still have to get an evaluation and be approved for the transplant waiting list. You can have your healthcare specialist send you to a transplant clinic for an evaluation.

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15 Most Common Questions on Kidney Transplant

The road leading to kidney transplantation creates lots of problems and doubts. These answers help patients understand the entire process, from evaluation to life after transplantation. This information allows people to participate in their healthcare decisions and plan for future changes and challenges.

Is there a legal procedure in India for kidney transplants?

Yes, there is a legal process for kidney transplants in India. The Transplantation of Human Organs Act (THOA) of 1994 establishes the legal foundation for organ transplants in India. The act has been revised several times since it was enacted.

What is the THOA?

The THOA regulates the removal, storage, and transplantation of organs. It aims to prevent the illegal sale of organs and promote deceased donor kidney transplantation. It provides a legal and ethical framework for organ donation and transplantation.

What are the rules for kidney transplants?

The donor must be a close relative of the patient, such as a parent, child, sibling, or spouse.
If the donor is not a close relative, the patient needs to get legal clearance from a committee.
The donor and recipient must provide documentary evidence of their relationship.
The donor’s financial status must be provided.
The donor and recipient must be interviewed.
The donor must donate out of affection and not for financial benefit.

Do we need to bring our own donors for kidney transplants?

Bringing a donor is often necessary if the patient chooses for a living donor transplantation. Living donors are typically close family members such as parents, siblings, children, or spouses. This helps ensure genetic compatibility and avoids rejection by the recipient’s body. If no suitable living donor is available, the patient can sign up for a national deceased organ donor list, which prioritizes patients based on medical urgency and compatibility.

However, finding a living donor is not always easy. Even if a possible donor steps forward, they must go through significant tests to ensure their compatibility and overall health. Paired donation or “swap transplants” tend to be suggested, in which two families exchange donors when matching issues occur between their own loved ones.

How much do kidney transplants cost?

The cost of kidney transplant in India may differ significantly depending on a variety of factors. This life-saving procedure is performed in Indian hospitals costing at a fraction of the cost than in Western countries. These prices make India one of the most affordable locations while still maintaining high medical standards.

The overall cost of kidney transplant operation in India depends on a variety of factors:

Type of surgery (open or laparoscopic)
Hospital categorization and location.
Surgeon’s experience and reputation
Duration of hospital stay.
Room Category Selection
Pre and postoperative medications
Rehabilitation requirements

How safe is it for the donor?

The majority of people do not have health concerns as a result of their kidney donation. For a healthy individual, donating a kidney is generally safe, thanks to advanced medical care practices. Living with one kidney is perfectly possible as long as the remaining kidney is functioning well. However, no surgery is without risk. Immediate complications from surgery could include infection, bleeding, or reactions to anesthesia, but such cases are rare when performed in renowned hospitals.

Donors go through extensive medical screening to verify that they are healthy enough to donate without compromising their well-being. Long-term effects on donors are low if they maintain a healthy lifestyle. It’s important for donors to commit to regular post-surgery check-ups to assess their single kidney’s performance. Emotional and psychological support is also offered to donors throughout the process.

What is the success rate of kidney transplants in India?

The success rate of kidney transplantation surgery varies in India, depending on several factors, including the patient’s age, general health, the root cause of kidney failure, the quality of the donor organ, and the level of experience of the medical team doing the treatment. However, kidney transplant surgery in India often has a high success rate.

Kidney transplants have a very high success rate: 90% of patients from deceased donors are still alive after five years, and 97% after one year. The likelihood of survival after getting a kidney from a living donor is much higher: 96% after five years and 99% after one year. Additionally, India has a 95% success rate for kidney transplantation.

Overall, kidney transplantation in India has become a safe and successful transplant treatment option for patients with end-stage renal disease, thanks to developments in medical technology and the availability of qualified doctors in India.

Does India perform ABO-incompatible kidney transplants?

Yes, ABO-incompatible kidney transplants are performed in India. These are specialized procedures provided by advanced transplant hospitals. While a perfect blood group match is important, modern medical advancements have made it possible to transplant kidneys even when there is a mismatch.

The process included procedures like plasma exchange and immunoadsorption to reduce the recipient’s antibodies, prevent rejection of the donor kidney. ABO-incompatible transplants are often come with slightly more expensive and require rigorous immunosuppressive rules. However, they have been lifesaving for many patients who cannot find a matched donor otherwise.

Which are some of the best hospitals for kidney transplants?

HBG Medical Assistance works with the best kidney transplant hospitals in India that combine knowledge, infrastructure, patient-centered care, and a commitment to excellence to give the best possible outcomes for kidney transplant patients. These hospitals have a multidisciplinary team of highly skilled and experienced professionals, including the best kidney transplant surgeons.

Here are some of the best kidney transplant hospitals in India:

What documents are required for a kidney transplant?

Documents Required for Live Donation Organ Transplantation

For Recipient:

Applications and Certificates:

The hospital forwarded the recipient’s signed application.
Treatment certificate and NOC request from the treating doctors.
Joint application of recipient and donor with applicable forms (Form-1, 2, 3, or 11) and notary attestation.

Identification and Proofs:

Relationship certificate (if applicable) and residence certificate from MRO/RDO.
Blood group reports of the recipient and family were attested by the hospital’s blood bank.
Family structure certificate and notarized affidavits from the recipient and close family members.
Aadhar card, passport-size photos, and two address proofs (e.g., voter ID, ration card, utility bill).

Medical and Legal Documents:

Medical fitness (Form-4) and test reports like HLA, cross-match, and genetic reports (if applicable).
Police verification certificate countersigned by DSP.
Hospital registration and surgeon team details.

Additional Documents:

Proof of marriage for spousal donors and age proof for minors.
Any prior medical records or family function photos involving the recipient and donor.

Donor:

Application: Donor’s application along with next of kin’s signatures and photos.
Residence Certificate: Proof of residence (minimum 6 months) issued and countersigned by the MRO and RDO.
Family Structure Certificate: Issued by MRO and RDO or 1st class magistrate, listing all family members with names, ages, and photos.
Police Verification: Certificate issued by Inspector of Police and countersigned by DSP.
Blood Group Report: Donor’s report with photos attested by the hospital’s blood bank in charge.
Notarized Affidavits: Affidavit from the donor and next of kin (father, mother, spouse, or major children if married) on Rs. 10/- stamp paper.
ID Proofs: Self-attested Aadhar card and any two of the following: voter ID, ration card, electricity/telephone bill, driving license, or passport.
Photographs: Two passport-size photos of the donor.

What precautions should be taken after kidney transplants?

Getting a kidney transplant is a life-changing experience. Knowing what to expect gives you peace of mind and increases your chances of having a full and healthy life with your new kidney.

Many factors influence the long-term success of a kidney transplant. After the transplant, you have three main tasks to take care of your new kidney:

Take your medicines regularly: Always take your anti-rejection and other medication exactly as your doctor tells you. This helps prevent your body from rejecting the new kidney.

Stay connected with your transplant team: Attend all your check-ups and have your blood tests done on time to ensure your kidneys are working properly. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact your doctors or nurses.

Live a healthy life: Eat a balanced diet, stay active, maintain a healthy weight, and quit smoking if needed. These habits help lower the risk of health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

What are the benefits of undergoing a kidney transplant vs staying on dialysis for the rest of your life?

A kidney transplant has significant benefits over long-term dialysis. Transplants improve the patient’s quality of life by providing more independence, fewer dietary restrictions, and better energy levels unlike dialysis, which requires multiple sessions per week, a transplant-free patients of such time-consuming schedules.

Also, transplants provide long-term cost savings compared to lifelong dialysis, even though the initial expense is higher. A working kidney transplant is far more effective in removing waste and balancing the body’s electrolytes, resulting in better overall health.

Can diabetes lead to a kidney transplant?

Yes, diabetes is a leading cause of kidney failure, often known as diabetic nephropathy. High blood sugar levels over time harm the kidney’s tiny blood vessels, decreasing their ability to filter waste properly. If not treated, this might proceed to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), which requires dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive.

Diabetes management, including medications, a healthy diet, and regular monitoring, can help in renal transplant surgery. However, in severe cases where the kidneys fail totally, a transplant becomes the best alternative. Patients with diabetes can get transplants, but they must work carefully with their doctors to control their condition both before and after the procedure.

Is the consumption of alcohol directly related to kidney health?

Yes, heavy alcohol consumption can indirectly damage the kidneys. Alcohol dehydrates the body, making the kidneys work harder to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance. Heavy drinking can eventually lead to high blood pressure and liver disease, both of which can have a substantial impact on renal function.

In moderation, alcohol may not cause direct injury to healthy kidneys. People with pre-existing kidney problems or who are on dialysis should avoid or limit their alcohol use, as their kidneys may already struggle to filter waste adequately. Alcohol can also interfere with medications, making it even more important to discuss consumption habits with a healthcare professional.

Who is eligible for a kidney transplant in India?

To be an eligible candidate for a kidney transplant, the individual must meet certain criteria established by the doctors. They are:

There should be no serious underlying medical conditions, such as cancer, advanced heart disease, liver disease, uncontrolled mental illness, or so on.
The individual should not smoke, drink, or use illegal drugs.
The individual should not be of elderly age.

How do kidney transplants impact our lives?

Kidney transplants are life-changing procedures that frequently allow patients to regain independence and greatly enhance their quality of life. With a working transplant, patients are free of the frequent and time-consuming demands of dialysis, giving them more freedom to travel, work, and participate in daily activities.

A transplant physically restores the body’s natural ability to filter pollutants, balance electrolytes, and regulate hormones, improving energy levels, appetite, and overall health. Psychologically, the relief from the constant strain of dialysis and the possibility of a better future fosters emotional well-being. However, it requires lifelong care, including regular health checks, medications, and lifestyle changes.

Is There Any Ideal Timing For Kidney Transplantation?

A kidney transplant is recommended when kidney function falls below 50%. It has been observed that patients who receive kidney transplants before dialysis (known as pre-emptive transplantation), perform better than dialysis patients.

HBG Medical Assistance provides high-quality, hassle-free consultations all over the world. We have had the pleasure of helping over 10,000 international patients with their treatments/surgeries and saving their treatment costs, mainly patients who come from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda etc. Book your consultation about your condition and surgery requirements for kidney transplant in India.