Kidney Transplant Surgery

Renal Transplant guidelines HOTA (Human Organ Transplant Act) 1994

To provide for the regulation of removal, storage and transplantation of human organs for therapeutic purposes and for the prevention of commercial dealings in human organs and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

• Link-1: HOTA 1994

• Link-2: Amendment of HOTA

What happens during the Kidney Transplant operation?

During the transplant operation, the Kidney is placed into the lower part of the abdomen, on either the right or left side just above the hip bone. It is put in this spot because it is close to the bladder and gets the blood supply it needs. The incision for the surgery is usually about 4 to 6 inches long. The Kidney blood vessels are attached to branches of the patient’s iliac artery and vein. The Ureter is attached to the Bladder. In most instances, the recipient’s own Kidneys are left in place.

The surgery usually takes two to four hours. Family members can expect a five to six hour wait from the time the patient is taken to surgery until the time he / she is shifted to the recovery room. After the surgery, the transplant surgeon meets the family members to apprise them about the patient’s condition.

What happens after the transplant surgery?

The post-operative care is monitored around-the-clock by a team of Intensive Care Specialists, Transplant Doctors and Nurses. After surgery the patient is sent from the operating room to the recovery room and is closely monitored. Post recovery from anaesthesia, the patient is shifted to the specialised Organ Transplant ICU.

During the surgery, the recipient patient has a catheter inserted in his / her bladder so that urine can be drained out and the output can be carefully measured and monitored. The catheter is usually taken out four to five days after surgery. At that point, the patient might feel the need to urinate frequently. Eventually, the bladder adjusts and the normal urination frequency returns within few weeks.