Kidney transplantation is a surgery. It involves the transplantation of a deceased or living donor's healthy kidney into someone whose kidneys have failed. The kidneys are two bean-like organs right below your rib cage on your spine's each side. Both the kidneys are about a fist's size. Their primary function is for filtering and excreting minerals, waste, and fluid from the blood by creating urine.
When your kidneys cannot filter any longer, harmful levels of waste and fluid develop within your body. These hazardous levels raise your blood pressure and lead to kidney failure (end-stage kidney disease). When the kidneys have lost about ninety percent of their ability to function, it is called end-stage renal disease. You can consider visiting an expert urologist for a kidney transplant in Bhubaneswar.
How do you get ready for kidney transplant?
Selecting a Transplantation Center
Your doctor will refer you to a transplant center in Bhubaneswar if he recommends a kidney transplant. You can also choose a center.
When looking into transplant centers in Bhubaneswar, keep the following in mind:
- Find out how many and what kind of transplants they do every year.
- Inquire about the kidney transplant survival chances at the transplant center.
- Use the transplants Recipient Registry's database to compare transplant center statistics.
- Learn if the transplant center provides any donation schemes. It will improve your opportunities of getting a kidney from a living donor.
You may think about the below as well:
- Costs incurred before and, during, and following your transplant. It will involve tests, hospital stays, organ procurement, surgery. It will include transportation from and to the transplant center and later appointments.
- The transplant provides several services. It includes travel arrangements, support groups, local housing for your healing time. The center also offers other resources referrals.
- Also, check the center's dedication to getting the newest transplant techniques and technology. It shows you that the program is expanding.
Evaluation
After choosing a center, the specialists will examine you. They do this to see if you match kidney transplant eligibility requirements.
The transplant center's team will determine the following:
- Are in good enough health to undergo the procedure and take post-transplant medicines
- Have health conditions that may prevent you from receiving a transplant?
- Want to and can take prescribed medicines and adhere to the transplant team's recommendations
The assessment phase can take several days, and it involves:
- A complete physical examination
- Blood tests
- Psychological assessment
- X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs.
- Any other tests that your doctor deems necessary
Your team will discuss the outcomes with you after your assessment. Also, they will let you know if they accepted you as a kidney transplant candidate. Every transplant center in Bhubaneswar has its own set of requirements. You can apply to other transplant centers if they do not take you at once.
What can you expect before the surgery?
A deceased kidney or living donor can be unrelated or related to you. When determining whether a donor kidney will be the perfect choice for you, your transplant team will consider some factors.
The transplant team will do the following tests to see if a donated kidney is right for you:
- Blood typing: Blood typing is a method of determining the type of blood. Getting a kidney from a donor whose blood type matches or is well suited with yours is preferable.
- Tissue typing: The next step is a tissue typing test known as human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing if your blood type is compatible. The specialists compare genetic markers that elevate a long-lasting transplanted kidney's chances. The right match means your body is less likely to reject the organ.
- Crossmatch: A small sample of your blood is mixed with the donor's blood in the lab for the third and final matching test. The test finds whether antibodies inside your blood react to the donor's blood antigens. A crossmatch that is negative means they are compatible, and your body will not reject the donor’s kidney. Also, positive crossmatch kidney transplants are possible. But, they will need additional medical treatment before and after the surgery. The different medical treatment is for decreasing the risk of your antibodies reacting to the donor organ.
Your transplant team may consider a matching age, kidney size, and infection exposure.
