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We offer a complete range of
investigations, medical procedures and surgeries at our hospitals.
The treatment procedures listed below is a partial list only. To
enquire about treatment for your condition, please click the link
at the bottom of this page. |
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| About
kidney transplants |
What
is a kidney transplant?
A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure in which a person whose
own kidneys have failed receives a new kidney to take over the blood
purification function. The surgery is classified as a major one
but advancements in medicine have greatly improved the success rates
and the acceptability of donors who would some years ago have been
rejected.
Kidney donations come from two sources: living
donors and non-living donors. A living donor may be a family member,
close friend or even a stranger who wishes to donate a kidney
to anyone in need of a transplant.( In India donations by unrelated
living donors require special approvals from the government).
Deceased donor kidneys usually come from people who have willed
their kidneys before their death.
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How is donor-patient
kidney compatibility tested?
What blood tests are performed to determine if a person is a compatible
kidney donor?
Blood type
A simple blood test is performed
to verify the blood type of the donor and the patient. Given below
is a compatibility table:
| Donor
blood type |
Patient
blood type |
A |
A or AB |
B |
B or AB |
AB |
AB |
O |
Any blood type: A, B, AB
or O |
Tissue typing
Tissue typing is a blood test that
evaluates the compatibility between the tissue of the donor and
the patient.
The human leukocyte antigen test,
also known as HLA, is a test that detects antigens (genetic markers
in white blood cells that trigger antibody production). The HLA
test is used to verify tissue compatibility typing of tissue recipients
and donors
Siblings (brothers and sisters) usually
have the best chance of being a perfect match (6 of 6 antigens).
Recent developments in anti-rejection medications have cut down
the occurrence of rejection in kidneys from unrelated donors
Crossmatching
Blood samples of the donor and the
patient are allowed to mix in the laboratory. If the interface does
not result in any cell damage, compatibility is indicated. On the
other hand, if cells begin to die, the conclusion is non-compatibility.
If the blood tests indicate compatibility, the potential donor is
examined to verity that his physical condition does not preclude
the donation. Counseling is also provided. |
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profiles |
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| What
are the risks of kidney transplantation?
As with any surgery, the common risks are bleeding, infection, or
breathing problems. The patient could be more prone to infections,
as immune-suppression medication taken after transplantation lowers
the body’s defence against infection. The specific risk is
organ rejection. |
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What is kidney rejection?
Kidney rejection is caused when the body’s immune system recognizes
the transplanted kidney as a ‘foreign’ object and activates
the body’s defence mechanism. The degree of rejection depends
on a number of factors including the extent of mismatch between
the donor and the patient’s tissues.
Rejection is overcome by taking medications
every day. Anti-rejection medications have possible side effects
(high blood pressure, weight gain and a susceptibility to infections
and tumors) because the body's immune system is suppressed. The
side effects usually are manageable for most patients. |
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The kidney transplant
procedure
Kidney transplant surgery usually lasts three to five hours. The
damaged kidneys are usually left in place, with the new kidney being
placed in the lower abdomen. The artery and vein of the new kidney
will be attached to an artery and vein in the lower part of the
abdomen, just above one of the legs. The new kidney's ureter, the
tube that links the kidney to the bladder, will be connected to
the bladder.
The transplanted kidney may function
immediately. In some cases the kidney begins to work only after
a week or so. Soreness or pain around the surgery site is common..
The recovery time in the hospital is usually about seven days.
We advise patients from outside of
India to come prepared for a 10-12 week stay, post-discharge, in
the city where the transplant is done. This is to facilitate routine
dressings initially and for monitoring thereafter. |
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profiles |
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What are the chances of a successful kidney
transplant?
With proper matching and appropriate medication, the chances of a
successful transplant are good. A successful kidney transplant gives
the patient strength and vitality. The patient can return to a close
to normal diet and food intake. A more normal lifestyle and more independence
in day to day activities is possible. |
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| Are
kidney transplants done in India? |
Yes, kidney transplants are done
exceptionally well at many hospitals in India. The success rates
match international standards. Indian doctors have a wealth of experience
in kidney transplants owing to the large number of procedures done.
We offer kidney transplants at five leading centres in India. |
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| Can
you find a kidney donor for us in India |
Sorry, we take on only those
cases where the donor is organised by the patient’s family.
Preferably, the donor should be a close relative of the patient.
Siblings, parents, children and spouse come under the category of
'close relatives'.
In cases where the donor is not a close relative,
government permission is required and is given only if it is established
that there is no commercial angle whatsoever to the donation.
In view of various ethical and legal issues involving
the sale of kidneys, we do not take on the responsibility of organising
kidney donors.
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| Costs |
Hospital costs :
The total cost of the kidney transplant would be $ 13,000 to $ 30,000
depending on the ward category, extent of treatment, complications,
etc. Hospital stay would be about 8 days for the donor, 15 days
for the patient. The cost includes all hospital costs from the time
of admission of the patient and the donor till the time of their
discharge after the transplant.
Accommodation outside the hospital : The
patient will need to stay in an apartment near the hospital for
about 2 weeks before the surgery and for about 8-10 weeks after
the transplant. Accommodation in a furnished apartment starts at
about $ 600 a month. |
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| Four
steps to get a kidney transplant done in India |
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1. |
Identify a donor from
your country, preferable a relative |
2. |
Please
investigate donor-patient compatibility in your country
or a neighbouring country if possible. If not you can send
us samples for HLA typing ( couriers may have restrictions).
If this also is not possible, you will need to come to India
for investigations |
3. |
Once
compatibility is confirmed, both the patient and donor will
be investigated for operability |
4. |
Transplant
will take place after the above confirmations and completion
of documentation relating to the donation of kidney ( We
will need Government permission in cases where the donor
and patient are not closely related) |
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| Summary |
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1. |
Medically speaking, we
can organise a kidney transplant procedure at one of the
best hospitals in India. The success rate is at world class
levels. |
2. |
There
are no legal issues if the donor is a close relative |
3. |
In
cases where the donor is not a close relative, Govt. permission
is necessary but may or may not be given depending on the
circumstances of the case. |
4. |
.
We do not organise donors for kidneys |
5. |
The total cost of the kidney
transplant would be $ 13,000 to $ 30,000 depending on the
ward category, extent of treatment, complications, etc |
6. |
Hospital stay would be about
8 days for the donor, 15 days for the patient. |
7. |
The patient will need to
stay in an apartment near the hospital for 2 weeks before
the surgery and for about 8-10 weeks after the transplant.
Accommodation in a furnished apartment costs start at about
$ 600 a month. |
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| View our Doctors'
profiles |
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*
The above costs are an approximate range and may vary slightly from
case to case |
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We offer a complete range of
investigations, medical procedures and surgeries at our hospitals.
The treatment procedures listed above is a partial list only. To
enquire about treatment for your condition, please click
here. |
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