Kidney Transplant Cost In India

Did you know your Kidneys can filter about 200 litres of blood in a day? This bean-shaped organ located on either side of the spine plays a vital role in filtering out waste from the blood, stimulating red blood cell production, controlling calcium metabolism, maintaining the fluid level, regulating sodium levels and keeping blood pressure under control. These powerful chemical factories are about the size of our fist. However, prolonged Diabetes or high blood pressure can lead to chronic kidney diseases and sometimes kidney failure. Kidney transplant treatment in India is very common, with a success rate of 90 to 95%. In this article, you will learn a series of facts about kidney transplant surgery, treatment and recovery time. Take a look!

Introduction of Kidney Transplant Surgery

• Types of Kidney Transplants
• Advantages of a Kidney Transplant
• Preparations Required Before Kidney Transplant Treatment
• Risks Associated with Kidney Transplant Treatment
• Success Rate of Kidney Transplant in India

What is a Kidney Transplant?

Also known as renal transplant, a kidney transplant is the organ transplant of a kidney into a patient with end-stage kidney disease. Kidney transplant is typically classified as deceased-donor or living-donor transplantation, depending on the source of the donor organ. The primary function of this fist-sized organ is to filter blood to remove waste, toxins, fluid, and minerals in the form of urine. When the filtering ability of the organ reduces, waste starts accumulating in the body. It increases blood pressure and ultimately results in renal failure. It is considered the end stage of kidney disease. The only way to treat this problem is to place a healthy kidney from a deceased or alive donor into a person facing kidney failure problem. This procedure is referred to as kidney transplant treatment.

What are the types of Kidney Transplants?

There are three types of kidney transplant treatments. Depending on multiple factors, a suitable option is selected.

1. Deceased-Donor Kidney Transplant

One of the kidney transplant types that an end-stage kidney disease patient may go for is a deceased donor kidney transplant. In this kidney transplant option, a healthy kidney is taken from someone who has recently passed away. Before going ahead with the transplant, seeking family consent or a donor card is necessary. The healthy kidney is placed in the body of the recipient, who is facing a kidney failure problem. The donor's kidney is connected to a machine that provides nutrients and oxygen or is stored on ice until the kidney is transplanted into the recipient.

2. Living-Donor Kidney Transplant

In this kidney transplant option, a kidney is taken for transplantation by a living donor. A healthy kidney is removed and placed into the kidney-diseased person. Even if both kidneys have failed, only one healthy kidney is required to sustain a body’s needs. The major benefit of this option is relatively less time spent on a waiting list. This way, several complications and health deterioration can be avoided in the patient. The survival rates are better in this option. Patients must schedule their transplant in advance once approval for a donor is received.

3. Preemptive Kidney Transplant

In this kidney transplant treatment option, a kidney transplant is done before the recipient’s kidney function deteriorates. Sometimes, the kidney deterioration may reach the stage where regular dialysis becomes essential and carry out the filtering function of the kidneys. Nowadays, most kidney transplants are performed on people undergoing dialysis as their kidneys have lost the ability to clean impurities from the blood adequately.

What are the advantages of a Kidney Transplant?

With advancements in medical sciences and cutting-edge treatments, most people prefer getting a kidney transplant to being on dialysis for the rest of their lives. The latter requires a lot of sessions every week and spends hours connected to the dialysis machine. Conversely, patients who decide to go for kidney transplant treatment enjoy the following advantages 

• Improved Life Quality
• Greater control over day-to-day activities
• More freedom as the patient is not bound to dialysis schedules.
• Improved stamina, strength, and energy
• Low risk of death
• Normal fluid intake
• Fewer dietary restrictions
• Reduced High BP medications
• A possibility of anaemia reversal
• Low cost of treatment

What preparations are required before a Kidney Transplant?

Once the patient has made up his mind about a kidney transplant as recommended by the doctor, he or she undergoes a battery of tests to assess multiple options. These tests evaluate potential issues like obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. The specialist closely evaluates the reports of these tests to determine if the patient is a good candidate for transplant. This evaluation also minimises post-transplant complications. Some of the commonly conducted tests are:

• Chest X-ray
• Medical History
• EKG or Electrocardiogram
• Blood Tests like infection screening and tissue typing

What are the risks associated with Kidney Transplant Treatment?

Kidney transplant treatment treats kidney failure and advanced kidney diseases, but in some cases, surgery is not the right cure. Some kidney diseases may come back even after a transplant. It is important to know about the risks associated with kidney transplant treatment which may be a direct result of surgery or donor organ rejection. There is also a risk of side effects from taking immunosuppressants or anti-rejection medications. It is important to know about the complications that may arise during surgery and carefully consider the benefits and serious risks. Some of the risks related to kidney transplant surgery are-

• Leaking or blockage of the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder
• Bleeding or blood clots
• Rejection or failure of the donated kidney
• Infection
• Cancer or infection passed from the donated kidney
• Stroke, heart attack, or death

What is the Kidney Transplant Cost in India?

The tentative kidney transplant cost in India is around 5 to 6 lakh in private hospitals. Post-surgery medicines that have to be taken lifelong cost approximately INR 10,000. Post-surgery follow-ups cost around INR 15,000.

What is the Success Rate of Kidney Transplants in India?

The success rate of live donor transplants lies between 90 to 95 per cent. This success rate holds true for patients of all ages.

Frequently Asked Questions about  Kidney Transplants in India

Q: What are the kinds of donors for Kidney Transplants?
A: Patients can go for deceased or live donor kidney transplant treatments. In the case of live donors, anyone from the family, co-worker or friend can donate a kidney. In the case of a deceased donor kidney transplant, a battery of tests is conducted to cross-check if the recipient’s body will accept the kidney.

Q: Does an individual need dialysis after a kidney transplant?
A: Once the kidney transplant is successful, the donated kidney starts filtering blood and removing wastes from the body; there is no need for the patient to go for dialysis.

Q: Can anyone get a kidney transplant?
A: Kidney transplant treatment is meant for people facing end-stage kidney disease and renal failure. Moreover, people who can tolerate the effects of surgery can go through a transplant.

Q: How long is one required to stay in the hospital after a kidney transplant?
A: A kidney transplant patient needs a minimum of 5 to 10 days of stay in the hospital after surgery. The length of stay also depends on the patient's medical conditions.

Q: How long does a kidney transplant take?
A: The kidney transplant surgery usually takes 3 to 4 hours to complete.

Q: What kind of anaesthesia is used during a kidney transplant?
A: Patients who have significant cardiovascular issues require intra-arterial blood pressure monitoring. Both general and epidural anaesthesia is used for rental transplant.

Q: Are there other treatment options for people who can't get a kidney transplant?
A: Patients who can’t get a kidney transplant can go for dialysis. Depending on certain medical parameters, the frequency of dialysis is determined.

Q: Are there any side effects for the donor during a kidney transplant?
A: Donors may face certain side effects during a kidney transplant. There may be a decrease in kidney function by 20 to 30 percent.

Q: How much does a Kidney Transplant cost in India?
A: The tentative kidney transplant cost in India is around 5 to 6 lakh in private hospitals. Post-surgery medicines that have to be taken lifelong cost approximately INR 10,000. Post-surgery follow-ups cost around INR 15,000.