Kidney transplantation is performed in cases where the patient suffers from complete failure of kidney function (End Stage Renal Disease) resulting from some diseases, such as: chronic renal failure, renal hypertension, chronic kidney infection, and some Genetic diseases and autoimmune diseases. The new kidney can be obtained from a living or dead donor, preferably alive, so that comprehensive examinations can be carried out before the transplantation process. This is to reduce the problems of immune rejection, and increase the probability of a successful transplant in the patient.

Risks of having surgery

Kidney transplant surgery is associated with some risks, such as the following

Infection at the surgical site.

Bleeding

Scars in the area.

in blood pressure

Damage to the renal and ureteral blood vessels.

Renal immune rejection.

Before the surgery

A set of examinations is performed for the patient, such as: ultrasound examination of the kidneys (Ultrasound), comprehensive blood count examination, examination of kidney function, blood type, and urine examination.

The patient should consult the doctor about the medications that he should stop taking before the surgery, and he should fast for a full 8 hours before the surgery.

while performing the surgery

Kidney transplant surgery includes removing the healthy kidney from the donor by making a small incision, then implanting the new kidney into the patient’s body. The surgery is done under complete anesthesia, with the following steps:

Sterilization of the abdominal area and making an incision in the abdomen, so that it penetrates all layers of the skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscles and membranes of the abdomen until the kidney is reached.

All renal blood vessels are removed, the inactive kidney is removed from its place, and the new kidney is repositioned into the pelvic cavity.

The healthy kidney is connected to the renal blood vessels, and it must be ensured that the blood reaches it well, and finally the ureter in the healthy kidney is connected to the patient''s bladder.

Suturing the abdominal membranes, abdominal wall muscles and skin layers, dressing the incision, and in most cases a tube is placed inside the abdomen that works to get rid of the fluid residue that has accumulated inside the abdominal cavity, and this surgery usually takes 5 hours.

Post-surgery

The patient remains under observation for a period of 4-7 days to ensure that his condition is stable, and the effectiveness of the transplanted kidney is monitored over time. Here are some observations and tips that must be taken into account:

Medicines must be taken to suppress the patient''s immune system, in order to prevent transplant rejection as much as possible, and these medicines are used for long periods, and in some cases they are taken for life.

The patient can take painkillers if he feels pain after the kidney transplant.

Compresses and sutures are usually removed from the incision a week after surgery.

The attending physician should be informed in the event of a sudden rise in temperature, in blood pressure, or urine retention.