Name of the Procedure:

Renal allotransplantation, implantation of graft; without recipient nephrectomy

Summary

Renal allotransplantation involves transferring a kidney from a donor to a recipient to replace the recipient's malfunctioning kidney. In this particular procedure, the recipient's existing kidneys are not removed.

Purpose

This procedure addresses chronic kidney failure and end-stage renal disease. The goal is to replace the faulty kidney with a healthy donor kidney to restore normal kidney function, improve quality of life, and prolong the recipient's lifespan.

Indications

• Chronic kidney failure
• End-stage renal disease
• Ineffective dialysis
• Severe kidney-related complications

Patient criteria:

• Suitable for surgery
• Compatible donor match
• Absence of severe heart or lung disease

Preparation

• Fasting: No eating or drinking for 8-12 hours before surgery.
• Medications: Adjust as directed by the healthcare provider.
• Diagnostic tests: Blood tests, imaging scans, and pre-surgical evaluations.

Procedure Description

1. Anesthesia: General anesthesia is administered.
2. Incision: A surgical incision is made in the lower abdomen.
3. Kidney Placement: The donor kidney is implanted in the recipient's pelvis.
4. Vascular Connection: Blood vessels of the donor kidney are connected to the recipient's blood vessels.
5. Ureter Connection: The ureter from the donor kidney is attached to the recipient's bladder.
6. Closure: The incision is closed with sutures.

Duration

The procedure typically takes 3 to 4 hours.

Setting

The procedure is performed in a hospital operating room.

Personnel

• Surgeons
• Anesthesiologists
• Surgical nurses
• Transplant coordinators

Risks and Complications

• Common: Infection, bleeding, blood clots.
• Rare: Rejection of the donor kidney, delayed graft function, complications from anesthesia.

Benefits

• Improved kidney function
• Enhanced quality of life
• Potentially longer lifespan Benefits are generally realized within weeks to months as the new kidney begins to function.

Recovery

• Hospital stay: 5-10 days.
• Post-procedure care: Monitoring kidney function, medication adherence (immunosuppressants).
• Recovery time: Several weeks to a few months.
• Restrictions: Avoid heavy lifting, strenuous activities; follow-up appointments are crucial.

Alternatives

• Hemodialysis: Continues blood filtration with a machine.
• Peritoneal dialysis: Uses the lining of the abdomen to filter blood.
• Pros and cons: Dialysis can be life-sustaining but doesn’t restore normal kidney function.

Patient Experience

• During the procedure: Under general anesthesia, no awareness or pain.
• After the procedure: Post-operative pain managed with medication, initial discomfort at the incision site, gradual improvement as healing progresses.