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Going for A Renal Transplant? Here What You Should Know

Home > Blogs > Going for A Renal Transplant? Here What You Should Know

Going for A Renal Transplant? Here What You Should Know

Renal Sciences | by CMRI | Published on 31/03/2022



Has your doctor recommended you go for a renal transplant and do you wish to know more about it? If yes, you will surely find this blog useful. 
Undergoing a major procedure such as a renal transplant can leave anyone overwhelmed, with many queries and questions that may come to your mind. Some people may surf the internet to find their answers, while others will ask family and friends. However, as important as it is to be well-informed, it is equally important to gather your answers from a reliable source. 


A renal transplant or a kidney transplant is a procedure that involves the surgical replacement of diseased or dysfunctional kidneys with a healthy one taken from a suitable living or deceased donor. The fact that a person can live with even one healthy, functioning kidney, makes it possible to perform a living donor transplant for the same. Well, well, well, this is something that most of us know, but there are many more queries related to a renal transplant that patients usually have and we have answered some of these with the help of the top renal transplantation doctors in Kolkata.

Why does one need a renal transplant? 


The Kidneys are a pair of tiny, bean-shaped organs, that perform various crucial functions, important for our survival. One of the most important functions of the kidneys is to filter the blood of various impurities and excess water, which is then thrown out of the body in the form of urine. Kidneys also help in the generation of red blood cells and the conversion of vitamin D into its active form, which can be used by our body. There is a wide spectrum of diseases and ailments that can interfere with the normal functioning of the kidneys and some might even cause them to become this functional. As this happens, it can lead to you uremia, a condition marked by the accumulation of extra water and waste in the body owing to the inability of the kidneys to filter them. This is a serious condition, which can lead to life-threatening consequences. Getting a renal transplant can help to alleviate or even negate the risks of the same and this is the reason why doctors recommend a renal transplant. 

Can patients opt for dialysis instead of a renal transplant? 


Dialysis is a procedure in which a machine is attached to the body to filter the blood of various impurities. This helps to take the load off the kidneys. However, experts specializing in hemodialysis treatment in Kolkata suggest that dialysis can help to postpone the need for a renal transplant but it cannot completely replace it. Sooner or later the patient is going to need a new kidney. It won't be wrong to say that dialysis acts as a bridge to the transplant. Doctors usually recommend the procedure to patients who are waiting for a new kidney but don't have a donor yet. 

What if the patient doesn't want to opt for dialysis before the transplant?


Many patients wish to undergo the transplant without having to undergo a dialysis procedure and it is quite possible, provided a kidney is available. This is commonly referred to as a preemptive or early transplant. While many patients prefer to stay on dialysis and postpone their surgery for as long as possible, some do want to get the procedure done with very little or no time spent on dialysis. Experts suggest that preemptive transplants offer a comparatively higher success rate with a better quality of life. 

Are there any eligibility criteria for the renal transplant? 


Undoubtedly, there are certain criteria that you need to fulfill in order to be eligible for the transplant. As it is a matter of life and death, you will be required to undergo proper evaluation and assessment to make sure that you are physically fit to receive the kidney. The patient should not have any ongoing infection or malignancy, as it can drastically alleviate the success rate of the procedure. Age is also a crucial factor as the procedure is usually for people lying in the age group of 5 to 65 years.

Can a person with an existing medical condition go for a transplant? 


If you have an existing medical condition, your eligibility for the transplant is determined by the severity of the same. For instance, if you have diabetes,  you can easily qualify as a candidate for the surgery, however, if you have a serious condition such as cancer, you may be listed as incompatible. As such, it is extremely important to share your medical history with your doctor and go for all the evaluations and assessments that have been recommended to determine your possibility of getting the transplant. 

If you wish to know more about renal transplants, feel free to consult our experts at CMRI, because we believe in empowering our patients to make an informed decision when it comes to their health.