Things to Know about Kidney Replacement

The procedure wherein the not working kidney is replaced by a new and healthy kidney that comes from a living donor is also known as Kidney replacement or transplant. The kidney is one of the most significant organs of your body. It is responsible for getting rid of excess water and waste.  Once the kidney malfunction, high levels of waste and fluid will accumulate which leads to various medical illnesses. To avoid this, kidney replacement is required.

Just one of the donated kidneys is required to replace the two malfunctioning organs, making a living donor transplant a choice. Once a compatible is not accessible, the patient might be placed on a waiting list to get an organ from a dead donor which takes months and even years. Today, an artificial kidney is used in order to replace the malfunctioning kidney.

In the kidney foundation center, the patient will be assessed immediately. The previous examination will be repeated to ensure that the patient doesn’t have any health problems. A doctor will conduct further laboratory examinations to ensure the organ is suitable for the patient. This procedure should be performed as soon as possible for better results.

Kidney transplant is composed of three phases

1.      A cut is done in the lower part of the stomach.

2.     Arteries from the lower stomach are linked to the artery of the donor’s kidney. This is to give enough blood to the newly planted kidney in order to work properly.

3.     The donor kidney’s ureter is attached to the patient’s bladder.

A stent, a small tube made of plastic is injected into the ureter in order to help for a healthy and stable flow of urine and waste. If the operation is successful or the organ is in place accordingly, the incision in the lower abdomen will be closed using surgical staples, stitches, or through using surgical glue. Kidney replacement is not an easy task, in fact, the whole procedure takes three hours more prior to completion and should be done only by an expert.

When the kidney transplant is finished, right away patient will start medication in order to prevent the immune system from ignoring the newly planted kidney. This medication has the medical term of immunosuppressant. As much as possible, doctors require a kidney from a living person as it works instantly after the procedure. According to the medical journal, 7 of 10 who undergo kidney replacement which the kidney is came from the departed donor; the organ normally starts working at once. Dialysis is badly needed with regard to this instance as a transplanted kidney usually begins six weeks to function well.

After days of surgical procedure, the patient can leave the center, but regular checkups are highly suggested so as to monitor the condition of the condition and make sure that it is stable and working well.  The examinations and checkups are also significant to know if the medication is efficient.

Two to three times of checkup is needed after weeks of a kidney transplant.  This will lessen as time goes by. After a year, you are required to visit the kidney foundation center at least once every three months for follow-ups. This is to maintain the good condition of your kidney and avoid further complications as well.