KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION in TURKEY

Kidney transplantation is a surgical procedure to replace a diseased or damaged kidney with a healthy one from a donor. It’s a life-saving treatment for many people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or kidney failure.
Here’s a breakdown of key aspects of kidney transplantation: Why is a Kidney Transplant Needed? Kidney transplantation is necessary when a person’s kidneys fail and can no longer effectively filter waste and excess fluid from the blood. Dialysis can perform these functions temporarily, but a transplant offers a better quality of life and longer lifespan for many patients. Some common causes of kidney failure requiring transplantation include:

• Diabetes: High blood sugar levels damage the kidneys’ filtering units.
• High blood pressure: Untreated or poorly controlled hypertension can strain the kidneys.
• Glomerulonephritis: Inflammation of the kidney’s filtering units.
• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD): A genetic disorder that causes cysts to grow in the kidneys.
• Autoimmune diseases: Conditions like lupus and IgA nephropathy can attack the kidneys.

Types of Kidney Transplants:

• Deceased donor transplant: A kidney is received from someone who has recently died. This is the most common type.
• Living donor transplant: A kidney is donated by a living person, often a family member or friend. Living donor transplants generally have better long-term outcomes.
• Preemptive transplant: A transplant performed before dialysis is needed. This can help prevent the complications associated with dialysis.

The Kidney Transplant Process:

1. Evaluation: Potential recipients undergo extensive testing to assess their overall health and suitability for a transplant.
2. Waiting List: If approved, the patient is placed on a waiting list for a deceased donor kidney. Waiting time varies depending on blood type, tissue match, and organ availability. Living donors can significantly shorten the waiting time.
3. Surgery: The diseased kidneys are usually left in place, and the new kidney is placed in the lower abdomen.
4. Recovery: Hospital stay is typically a few days to a week. Full recovery takes several months.
5. Immunosuppressant Medications: Lifelong immunosuppressants are required to prevent rejection of the transplanted kidney.

Risks and Complications:

• Rejection: The body’s immune system may attack the new kidney.
• Infection: Immunosuppressant drugs increase the risk of infections.
• Bleeding: Bleeding complications can occur during or after surgery.
• Blood clots: Clots can form in the blood vessels of the new kidney.
• Urine leakage: Leakage from the connection between the ureter and the bladder can occur.
• Side effects of immunosuppressants: These can include increased risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, bone thinning, and certain cancers.

Long-Term Outlook: Kidney transplantation significantly improves the quality of life and prolongs survival for most patients with kidney failure. Success rates vary depending on the donor source and the recipient’s health. Regular follow-up with the transplant team is crucial for monitoring kidney function and managing immunosuppression.

If you have specific questions about organ tranplantation its management, or anything related, feel free to ask! We will be pleased to help you with our wide hospital & clinic network all over the Turkiye.