Living donor transplant involves taking a healthy kidney from a living donor, usually a family member or close friend of the recipient, and transplanting it into the recipient's body. This procedure allows for faster recovery and better overall outcomes compared to deceased donor transplant .
Deceased donor transplant, on the other hand, involves taking a kidney from a deceased donor and transplanting it into the recipient's body. There are several different types of deceased donor kidneys, including standard criteria donor kidneys, extended criteria donor kidneys, and kidneys from donors after cardiac death.
Ultimately, the choice of kidney transplant type depends on a number of factors, including the recipient's health status, blood type, and availability of suitable donors
Procedure
The kidney transplant procedure generally involves the following steps:
Anesthesia: The patient is given general anesthesia to ensure they are unconscious and pain-free during the surgery.
Incision: The surgeon makes an incision in the abdomen to access the kidney area.
Donor Kidney Placement: The healthy donor kidney is surgically placed into the recipient's body.
Blood Vessel and Ureter Connection: The surgeon connects the blood vessels of the kidney to the recipient's blood vessels and attaches the ureter to the bladder.
Incision Closure: The incision is closed with sutures or staples.
Before the Procedure
Before the kidney transplant surgery, patients will undergo several pre-procedural preparations, including screening tests, evaluations, and discussions regarding immunosuppressive medications.
After the Procedure
After the kidney transplant surgery, patients will be closely monitored and will need to take immunosuppressive medications to prevent organ rejection. Regular follow-up visits are necessary to monitor kidney function and overall health.