Kidney transplantation

Kidney transplant is a surgical operation whose purpose is to replace the diseased organ with a healthy one. It is usually received from another person. It can be a close and not very relative, as well as a deceased donor.

Only one organ is used for transplantation. Transplantation of two kidneys is a rather rare case. During the operation, the diseased organ is not removed, while the donor material is placed in the ileum, on the front surface of the abdominal wall in the lower abdomen. Thus, the time of surgery is reduced and the risk of complications is reduced.

A kidney transplant operation is indicated for patients who have the last stage of insufficient activity of this organ. This condition requires constant replacement therapy - dialysis. The reason for this therapy may be diabetes, high blood pressure, polycystosis or other congenital malformations, glomerulonephritis( inflammation of structural units - nephrons), hemolytic uretic syndrome.

Kidney transplantation can be accompanied by a number of complications. These include bleeding, infection, thrombosis of the blood vessels of the donor organ, blockade or leakage of urine in the ureter, primary insufficiency.

The most dangerous consequence of surgery is the rejection reaction. It is a normal reaction of the human body to hit it with foreign objects or tissues. In this case, the immunity system regards the new kidney as a threat and attacks it. To prevent rejection of the body, special medications are prescribed that suppress the rejection reaction and allow the new organ to settle down and fully work.

Kidney transplantation is not performed if there is an infection or recurrence of infection that does not respond to therapy, as well as with metastatic cancer, severe cardiovascular insufficiency, and non-compliance with the treatment regimen.

Preparing for surgery includes refraining from eating for eight hours, from using sedatives. With concomitant diseases that are not contraindications, appropriate medications are prescribed.

After surgical intervention, the patient is placed in the intensive intensive care and therapy room, where he will stay for up to one month. Organ, transplanted from a living person, almost immediately begins to excrete urine, which distinguishes it from the cadaveric kidney. In certain cases dialysis is required. A catheter is installed to monitor the excreted urine.

To monitor the condition of the kidney and other organs, urinalysis is performed daily. The next day after surgery, the patient is allowed to walk.

The diet after kidney transplantation consists of liquid food. Gradually it decreases and the quantity of dense products increases. After achieving adequate functioning of the body, a permanent diet is prescribed.

After surgery, pain can often occur. To reduce them, special anesthetic substances are prescribed. It is forbidden to take aspirin, as its use can provoke bleeding.

If painful sensations occur that are localized in the area of ​​the transplanted organ, and fever should be addressed to the transplantologist, since these symptoms are frequent symptoms of a rejection reaction. In this case, special laboratory studies are carried out, among which is the determination of the level of creatine, which is carried out through biochemical analysis. Increased blood pressure is also an indicator of the rejection reaction. To prevent such consequences, special medicines are prescribed that suppress the immune system.

Thus, kidney transplant is an operation that is aimed at the normal functioning of the urinary system. Despite contraindications and complications, it is vital for many patients with terminal stage of insufficiency of this organ.