A kidney transplant is a surgery to replace a diseased or damaged kidney with a donor kidney. It is done for patients with severe kidney problems. The donor may be a relative or friend. The donor can also be someone who has died and donated the organs.
There is a shortage of donors. You may be on a transplant list for some time. You may need to carry a pager or cellular phone at all times so you can be reached if a donor kidney becomes available.
Your doctor will likely do the following:
Physical exam
Review of medications
Blood tests to include blood chemistries, liver function tests, bleeding profile, and infection testing
Electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG)
”a test that records the heart's activity by measuring electrical currents through the heart muscle
The surgeon cuts into the lower abdomen. The donated kidney will be connected to your arteries, veins, and ureter. The diseased kidneys are usually left in place. The incision is closed. Your new kidney may start producing urine immediately or within a short time.
After Procedure
A catheter that is connected to a bag collecting urine will be left in your bladder.
You will be started on drugs to suppress your immune function. They will decrease the risk that your body will reject your new kidney.
How Long Will It Take?
The surgery typically takes about 3-6 hours.
Will It Hurt?
Anesthesia prevents pain during surgery. You may experience pain while recovering. You will receive pain medication to relieve this discomfort.
Possible Complications
Infection
Rejection of the new kidney
Urine leakage from the ureter
Heart problems from prior heart disease (such as
heart attacks
,
heart failure
, or heart rhythm problems)
Blood clot in the bladder or vein connected to the kidney
The typical recovery time in the hospital is
1-2 weeks. Most patients are in the intensive care unit for at least one day after surgery.
Postoperative Care
Take deep breaths and cough 10-20 times every hour. This will decrease the risk of pneumonia or fluid building up in your lungs.
Expect to get out of bed the day after surgery.
You may be given steroid medications. These will help to decrease inflammation in your new kidney.
You may be given diuretic medications. They will help rid your body of built up fluid.
Only take medications approved by your doctor.
Your new kidney may be monitored. Ultrasound examinations and nuclear medicine scans may be done.
You may be asked to weigh yourself, take your blood pressure daily, and to measure the amount of fluids you take in as well as the amount of urine you pass.
The amount of salt and protein you eat may be restricted.
You may be asked to avoid alcohol for at least a year.
Outcome
After a period of recovery, you will most likely be able to return to work and normal activities.
To reduce the chance that your body will reject the donor kidney, you will need to take immunosuppressive drugs for the rest of your life. These drugs can create a higher risk for a number of diseases including:
Infections like tuberculosis or
AIDS
if you are infected before surgery
Kidney disease (in new kidney)
Weak bones
Additional drugs may be ordered to manage side effects..
More than 80% of transplanted kidneys from deceased donors remain working after one year. The success rate often improves with a kidney from a living donor. The kidney tissue in these cases more closely matches your tissue.
Call Your Doctor If Any of the Following Occurs
Signs of infection, including fever and chills
Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge from the incision site
Cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, or severe nausea or vomiting
Pain, burning, urgency, frequency of urination, or persistent bleeding in the urine
Passing no or only small amounts of urine
Pain and/or swelling in your feet, calves, or legs, or sudden shortness of breath or chest pain
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care
provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a
substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER
IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the
advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to
starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a
medical condition.
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Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
