Kidney Transplant

Overview

A Kidney Transplant Programme is a specialized medical service that provides comprehensive kidney transplantation for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). It involves a multidisciplinary team, cutting-edge medical infrastructure, and strict protocols to ensure successful outcomes.

At RFH, we perform 40-50 renal transplants annually, including:

Pre-emptive transplants (before dialysis is needed),
Cadaver transplants (from deceased donors),
ABO incompatible transplants,
Highly Sensitised and High-Risk transplants, including cases involving HIV-positive and polio affected patients.

We have a state-of-the-art Transplant ICU equipped with specially trained staff to manage all kinds of complications and post-operative care.

Our transplant program is supported by a world class HLA laboratory, Microbiology, Pathology (including Histopathology), Nuclear medicine, and Radiology departments, ensuring comprehensive care.

Key Components of a Kidney Transplant Programme
Laparoscopic Donor Nephrectomy
Robotic-assisted Kidney Transplant Surgery

1. Patient Evaluation & Selection

Medical Evaluation: Includes kidney function tests, imaging, and overall health assessment.
Psychosocial Assessment: Evaluates mental and emotional preparedness for transplant.
Tissue Matching and Compatibility Testing: HLA typing and crossmatching to find a compatible donor.
Infectious Disease Screening: Ensures the recipient is free from active infections.

2. Donor Selection & Evaluation

Living Donors: Usually close relatives.
Deceased Donors: Organs obtained through cadaveric donation programs.
Legal & Ethical Clearance: Compliance with organ transplantation laws and proper consent procedures.

3. Pre-Transplant Preparation

Dialysis Support: For patients awaiting transplant.
Immunization & Infection Control: Ensuring vaccinations and preventive care.
Patient Education: Guidance on post-transplant care, medications, and lifestyle modifications.

4. Transplant Surgery

Experienced Surgical Team: Nephrologists, urologists, anesthetists, and intensivists.
Surgical Procedure & Post-Op Care: Adherence to strict surgical protocols to minimize complications.
ICU Monitoring: Continuous post-operative care in a specialized Transplant ICU to ensure stability.

5. Post-Transplant Care & Follow-up

Immunosuppressive Therapy: To prevent organ rejection.
Regular Monitoring: Routine kidney function tests, biopsies (if needed), and infection surveillance.
Long-term Care: Lifestyle management, nutrition counselling, and psychological support.
Pain management: Strategies for post-operative pain management.

6. Support Services

Transplant Coordinators: Manage patient-donor logistics.
Counselling & Support Groups: Helps patients cope with emotional and lifestyle adjustments.
Financial & Insurance Assistance: Guidance on medical expenses, government schemes, and insurance coverage.

Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to remove a kidney from a living donor for transplantation. It has largely replaced traditional open nephrectomy due to its numerous benefits, including

Less post-operative pain
Shorter hospital stays
Faster recovery
Minimal scarring for better cosmetic outcomes.

Robotic-assisted kidney transplant surgery is an advanced, minimally invasive technique used for both kidney donors and recipients. This procedure involves removing a kidney from a living donor using a surgical robot, which offers enhanced precision, superior visualization, and improved dexterity for the surgeon.

Benefits for the Donor:

Smaller incisions, leading to less pain and minimal scarring
Faster recovery and shorter hospital stay
Lower risk of complications compared to open surgery
Reduced blood loss during the procedure

This robotic-assisted approach is particularly beneficial in living donor kidney transplants, as it enhances donor safety and significantly shortens recovery time.