ORGAN TRANSPLANT PROGRAM

Our centre has a very active Multi-Organ Transplant program, one of a kind in India, performing Kidney and Liver transplantation. Our centre approved and licensed for organ transplantation by Government of India

Both live donor and cadaver transplants are carried out. Our experienced transplant surgeons have successfully performed more than 500 kidney transplants between them.

The transplant team consists of many well-trained professionals with a lot of experience in organ transplantation.
They include:

• Transplant surgeons
• Nephrologists
• Hepatologists
• Gastroenterologists
• Anesthetists
• Urologists
• Vascular Surgeons
• Microbiologist
• Transplant Nurses
• Transplant coordinators
• Dieticians and other support staff

A multi disciplinary team approach is one of the special features of our program. Ours is a one-step centre for abdominal organ transplantation providing total care to all our patients.

Before the transplant, our transplant coordinators counsel the patients and their families thoroughly about the entire process. They also undergo a detailed evaluation by multiple specialists to reduce complications and ensure a successful outcome. After the transplant surgery, the patients are admitted to a dedicated ICU and later to a transplant ward, where the nurses and other staff are trained to take care of transplant patients.

We maintain an organ transplant registry at our Centre. All our patients who are waiting for cadaver organs are placed on a waiting list, and organs become available on a shared basis with patients from other hospitals. We are also actively involved in organ awareness campaigns to educate the public and other healthcare works about organ donation and transplantation. We regularly conduct talks and seminars in schools and colleges, and various other institutions and organizations.

Highlights of our program are:

• Multi-organ harvesting and transplant under one roof
• Highly qualified team of medical experts and support staff
• A multi-disciplinary team approach
• Excellent results comparable with the best centers
• Very reasonable cost
• Excellent patient and family support
• Special transplant protocol for high risk patients
• Separate transplant coordinators are available for both outpatients as well as inpatients
• Special techniques such as C4D, Biopsys reports done in 4hrs for native Kidneys & Post Transplant Patients

Information for patients about Renal Transplant

Renal Transplantation is a boon for end stage renal disease patients as they can lead a more active life – free from dietary limitations and dialysis. However, these patients need a lifetime of care.

Donor – The person giving the kidney
Recipient – The person receiving the kidney

Eligibility:

1. Presence of suitable donor
2. Consent for the procedure
3. Willingness to be on life long medications and follow up.

Pre – Transplant Program

The crux is on to find the suitable donor (living or cadaver), with whom the recipient’s blood and tissue match. If not matched, antibodies present in the recipient’s blood will attack the transplant kidney and cause rejection.

The donor undergoes regular blood investigations, split function study of each kidney and a scan to define the blood supply of the kidney.

Blood investigations, screening and Doppler study, to reveal the blood vessel status of the lower limb, are carried out for the donor. The tissue typing and cross-matching between the donor and the recipient should be compatible.

Transplant Procedure

The harvested kidney is placed in the lower part of abdomen just above the groin either to the right or left side. The transplant kidney’s artery and vein are anastamosed to the iliac blood vessels. The ureter is anastomosed to the bladder. The native kidneys are not removed.

Post Operative Period

Initially the patient will be in the intensive care unit following which they will be shifted to the ward depending on the general condition. The recipient will have an urinary catheter for few days to protect the anastomosis and a drain tube above the groin for 2 to 3 days to clear the fluid collecting. The patient will be discharged according to his progress usually between 7 to 10 days

Medications

The recipient will be on immunosuppressants for the rest of their life. The dosage and timings should be adhered to strictly as per the doctor’s advice. The medicines should not be changed or stopped without consultation with your doctor. The blood level of certain drugs should be monitored periodically. These drugs do have side effects, which should be reported to the transplant team immediately.

Follow-Up

The recipient should be on regular follow up. Physical examination and blood investigations are carried out. The patient should take special care of their hygiene.

If the recipient faces any problem, they should contact the transplant team immediately. Talk to your doctor before taking any other medication to make sure they do not affect your kidney.

Rejection

Human body’s immune system fights against foreign material by producing antibodies. If the tissue typing is not a good match, the recipient’s immune system reacts by fighting against the transplant kidney.

The most common problem after transplant is rejection. It may be acute or chronic. Acute rejection occurs within the first few months of transplant.

Chronic rejection is a very slow process. If mild there is often not a problem but severe rejection may lead to kidney failure.