What are the success rates for different types of kidney transplants. How do factors like age and ethnicity impact transplant outcomes. What are the key considerations for potential kidney transplant recipients.

Understanding Kidney Transplants: Types and Definitions

Kidney transplantation is a life-saving procedure for individuals with end-stage kidney failure. It involves replacing a diseased kidney with a healthy one from a donor. There are two primary types of kidney transplants:

• Living-donor kidney transplant (LDKT): The kidney comes from a living donor, often a family member.
• Deceased-donor kidney transplant (DDKT): The kidney is sourced from a deceased individual.

Both types of transplants have their own success rates and considerations. Understanding these differences is crucial for patients and healthcare providers alike.

Survival Rates: Living-Donor vs. Deceased-Donor Kidney Transplants

The success of kidney transplants is often measured by survival rates over time. According to the Organ Procurement Transplant Network (OPTN) and the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR), there are notable differences between LDKT and DDKT outcomes:

Living-Donor Kidney Transplant (LDKT) Survival Rates

LDKT generally shows higher success rates compared to DDKT:

• 97.8% 5-year survival rate for recipients aged 18-35
• 83.9% 5-year survival rate for recipients over 65
• 88.3% 5-year survival rate for recipients with diabetes-induced kidney failure

Deceased-Donor Kidney Transplant (DDKT) Survival Rates

While still impressive, DDKT survival rates are slightly lower:

• 95.8% 5-year survival rate for recipients aged 18-34
• 74.3% 5-year survival rate for recipients over 65
• 81.1% 5-year survival rate for recipients with diabetes-induced kidney failure

These statistics highlight the importance of donor type in transplant outcomes. Why do LDKTs tend to have better success rates? This can be attributed to factors such as reduced wait times, better tissue matching, and the ability to schedule the surgery at an optimal time for both donor and recipient.

Factors Influencing Kidney Transplant Success

Several key factors can impact the success of a kidney transplant. Understanding these can help patients and doctors make informed decisions and improve outcomes:

Age of Donor and Recipient

Age plays a significant role in transplant success:

• Younger recipients (18-34) have higher survival rates but also higher rejection rates (9.1%)
• Older recipients (over 65) have lower survival rates but also lower rejection rates (5.9%)
• Increasing donor age is associated with higher chances of kidney rejection

Cold Ischemic Time

This refers to the time between chilling the donated kidney and restoring its blood supply. Shorter cold ischemic times are associated with better outcomes. How can medical teams minimize cold ischemic time? Careful coordination between donor and recipient teams, efficient transportation, and streamlined surgical procedures are all crucial.

Creatinine Levels at Discharge

Creatinine levels provide an indication of kidney function. Lower creatinine levels at hospital discharge are associated with better long-term outcomes. What can be done to optimize creatinine levels post-transplant? Close monitoring, appropriate medication management, and patient education on kidney care are essential.

Duration of Hospitalization

Longer hospital stays are associated with poorer survival rates. This underscores the importance of efficient post-operative care and early intervention for any complications.

Ethnicity

According to the OPTN/SRTR 2020 report, Asian recipients had the highest survival rates, while Black recipients had the lowest. These disparities highlight the need for targeted interventions and research to improve outcomes across all ethnic groups.

The Waiting Game: Challenges in Kidney Transplantation

Despite high success rates, kidney transplants face significant challenges, primarily due to organ availability. The waiting times for transplants can be lengthy:

• 34.6% of patients were still waiting after 3 years
• 25% underwent a DDKT within 3 years
• 14% received an LDKT within 3 years
• 6.4% died while waiting
• 20% were removed from the waiting list for various reasons

These statistics highlight the critical need for increased organ donation and improved allocation systems. How can we address this organ shortage? Promoting living donation, improving deceased donor registration rates, and exploring innovative transplant techniques are all potential strategies.

Kidney Transplant Eligibility and Evaluation

Not all patients with kidney disease are candidates for transplantation. Clinical practice guidelines recommend that:

• All individuals with chronic kidney disease expected to reach end-stage kidney disease should be considered for transplantation
• Potential candidates should be referred for evaluation 6-12 months before they are likely to need dialysis

What does the evaluation process involve? It typically includes a comprehensive medical assessment, psychological evaluation, and social support assessment. The goal is to ensure that transplantation is the best option for the patient and that they have the best chance of a successful outcome.

Potential Complications and Risks of Kidney Transplantation

While kidney transplants have high success rates, they are not without risks. Potential complications include:

• Organ rejection
• Infections due to immunosuppression
• Cardiovascular complications
• Medication side effects
• Cancer (particularly skin cancer and lymphoma)

How can these risks be mitigated? Close medical follow-up, adherence to immunosuppressive medications, lifestyle modifications, and regular screening for potential complications are all crucial aspects of post-transplant care.

Innovations in Kidney Transplantation: Looking to the Future

The field of kidney transplantation is continuously evolving. Some exciting areas of research and innovation include:

• Improved immunosuppression protocols to reduce rejection rates
• Bioengineered kidneys to address organ shortages
• Xenotransplantation (using animal organs for human transplantation)
• Precision medicine approaches to tailor treatment to individual patients
• Improved preservation techniques to extend organ viability

These advancements hold the promise of improving transplant success rates, reducing wait times, and enhancing the quality of life for kidney transplant recipients.

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Kidney Transplantation

Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a powerful tool in the field of kidney transplantation. How can AI contribute to improved outcomes? Here are some potential applications:

• Predicting organ rejection risk
• Optimizing donor-recipient matching
• Personalizing immunosuppression regimens
• Monitoring post-transplant recovery
• Identifying potential complications early

While still in its early stages, AI has the potential to revolutionize kidney transplantation, leading to better patient outcomes and more efficient use of scarce donor organs.

Living Donation: Expanding the Donor Pool

Given the superior outcomes associated with living donor kidney transplants, there is a growing focus on expanding the living donor pool. What strategies are being employed to encourage living donation?

• Paired kidney exchange programs
• ABO-incompatible transplantation
• Desensitization protocols for HLA-incompatible transplants
• Non-directed altruistic donation
• Improved donor education and support programs

These initiatives aim to make living donation more accessible and appealing, potentially reducing wait times and improving overall transplant outcomes.

Post-Transplant Quality of Life

While survival rates are crucial, the quality of life post-transplant is equally important. How does kidney transplantation impact patients’ daily lives? Studies have shown that successful kidney transplants can lead to:

• Improved physical functioning
• Better mental health and emotional well-being
• Increased energy levels
• Greater ability to work and participate in social activities
• Reduced dietary and fluid restrictions compared to dialysis

However, it’s important to note that transplant recipients must adhere to lifelong medication regimens and regular medical follow-ups. Balancing these requirements with improved quality of life is an ongoing challenge for many recipients.

Pediatric Kidney Transplantation

Kidney transplantation in children presents unique challenges and considerations. How do outcomes differ for pediatric recipients?

• Generally higher success rates compared to adult recipients
• Greater potential for long-term growth and development
• Increased risk of non-adherence during adolescence
• Special considerations for immunosuppression to minimize growth impacts
• Need for ongoing support through transition to adult care

Pediatric kidney transplantation requires a multidisciplinary approach, involving not just transplant specialists but also pediatricians, child psychologists, and social workers to ensure the best possible outcomes for young recipients.

Economic Considerations in Kidney Transplantation

While the medical benefits of kidney transplantation are clear, the economic aspects are also significant. How does kidney transplantation compare to long-term dialysis in terms of cost-effectiveness?

• Initial costs of transplantation are high but decrease over time
• Long-term dialysis has lower initial costs but higher ongoing expenses
• Transplantation generally becomes more cost-effective than dialysis after 2-3 years
• Successful transplants can lead to reduced healthcare utilization and costs over time
• Improved ability to work post-transplant can have positive economic impacts for recipients and society

These economic considerations underscore the importance of policies that support and promote kidney transplantation as a preferred treatment option for suitable candidates with end-stage kidney disease.

Global Perspectives on Kidney Transplantation

Kidney transplantation practices and outcomes vary significantly around the world. What factors contribute to these global disparities?

• Differences in healthcare systems and funding
• Variations in organ donation rates and cultural attitudes towards donation
• Disparities in access to immunosuppressive medications
• Differences in regulatory frameworks for transplantation
• Variations in prevalence of kidney disease and risk factors across populations

Addressing these global disparities requires international cooperation, knowledge sharing, and efforts to improve access to transplantation in resource-limited settings.

The Role of Patient Education in Transplant Success

Patient education plays a crucial role in the success of kidney transplants. How can effective education programs improve outcomes?

• Improving medication adherence
• Promoting healthy lifestyle choices post-transplant
• Helping patients recognize signs of potential complications
• Empowering patients to actively participate in their care
• Providing emotional support and coping strategies

Comprehensive patient education programs that begin pre-transplant and continue throughout the post-transplant period are essential for maximizing the chances of long-term transplant success.

Ethical Considerations in Kidney Transplantation

The field of kidney transplantation raises numerous ethical questions. What are some of the key ethical issues that need to be addressed?

• Fair allocation of scarce donor organs
• Balancing living donor risks with recipient benefits
• Addressing disparities in access to transplantation
• Ethical considerations in innovative transplant techniques (e.g., xenotransplantation)
• Balancing individual autonomy with societal needs in organ donation policies

Navigating these ethical challenges requires ongoing dialogue between medical professionals, ethicists, policymakers, and the public to ensure that kidney transplantation practices align with societal values and ethical principles.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Kidney Transplantation

The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impacts on kidney transplantation globally. How has the pandemic affected transplant practices and outcomes?

• Temporary suspension of many transplant programs during peak infection periods
• Increased risks for transplant recipients due to immunosuppression
• Changes in organ allocation policies to account for COVID-19 risks
• Adoption of telemedicine for follow-up care
• Potential long-term impacts on organ donation rates

The pandemic has highlighted the resilience of the transplant community while also exposing vulnerabilities in the system. Lessons learned during this time will likely inform future practices to make transplant programs more robust in the face of public health crises.

The Future of Kidney Transplantation: Emerging Technologies and Approaches

As medical science advances, new technologies and approaches are emerging that could revolutionize kidney transplantation. What are some of the most promising developments on the horizon?

• 3D-printed kidneys using patient-derived cells
• Gene editing techniques to reduce organ rejection
• Improved organ preservation methods to extend viability
• Wearable artificial kidneys as a bridge to transplantation
• Regenerative medicine approaches to repair damaged kidneys

While many of these technologies are still in early stages of development, they hold the promise of addressing some of the most significant challenges in kidney transplantation, potentially improving outcomes and expanding access to this life-saving treatment.

In conclusion, kidney transplantation has come a long way since its inception, with impressive success rates and continual improvements in outcomes. However, challenges remain, particularly in terms of organ availability and long-term management of transplant recipients. Ongoing research, technological advancements, and collaborative efforts across the global transplant community continue to drive progress in this field, offering hope to the millions of people worldwide affected by end-stage kidney disease.

Kidney Transplant Success Rates and Potential Complications

Your kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs found below your rib cage on either side of your spine. The primary function of your kidneys is to filter waste and extra fluid from your blood to make urine.

A kidney transplant is a procedure to replace an unhealthy kidney with a new kidney from a donor. End stage kidney failure is the most common reason people receive kidney transplants. People with end stage kidney failure need long-term dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive.

Kidney transplants are generally very successful at extending life for people who are eligible. Up to 97% of transplanted kidneys survive for at least 1 year.

There are two types of kidney transplant.

Living-donor kidney transplant (LDKT) is when the kidney comes from a person who is still alive, often a family member of the recipient.

Deceased-donor kidney transplant (DDKT) is when the kidney comes from a person who is deceased.

Keep reading to learn more about the success rates of these two procedures.

The Organ Procurement Transplant Network (OPTN) is a nonprofit that manages the United States organ transplant system. Each year, together with the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR), the OPTN releases an annual report providing an analysis of organ transplants.

According to the 2020 annual report, 83.9% of LDKT recipients over age 65 are alive 5 years after their transplant. The 5-year survival rate is higher in people ages 18 to 35, at 97.8%. People who had kidney failure due to diabetes had the lowest 5-year survival rate compared to other causes, at 88.3%.

The 5-year survival rates are higher among LDKT recipients than among DDKT recipients of the same age. LDKT recipients also tend to spend less time on dialysis.

The 5-year survival rate for transplanted kidneys is slightly lower than the 5-year survival rate for people who have received a kidney. A total of 81. 6% of transplanted kidneys in people over 65, and 90.9% in people ages 35 to 49, survive for at least 5 years.

Success rates for DDKT are high but lower than those for LDKT. More DDKTs are performed each year since there are more deceased donors available. Roughly four times more DDKTs than LDKTs were performed in 2020, according to the OPTN/SRTR 2020 report.

The 5-year survival rate for DDKT is 74.3% in people over 65 and 95.8% in people ages 18 to 34.

As with LDKT, people with kidney failure due to diabetes had the lowest 5-year survival rate, 81.1%.

Despite the high success rates, wait times for kidney transplants are often very long. Of people placed on waiting lists from 2015 to 2017:

• 34.6% were still waiting after 3 years
• 25% had undergone a DDKT
• 14% had undergone an LDKT
• 6.4% had died
• 20% had been removed from the list

Many factors, including the following, can affect the success rate of a kidney transplant.

Age

The ages of the donor and the recipient can affect the chances of success. In a 2016 study, researchers found that recipient age was the second leading risk factor for predicting kidney transplant outcomes.

Perhaps counterintuitively, as age increases, so does the predicted survival time — likely because younger people have younger immune systems that can lead to more organ rejections.

In the OPTN/SRTR 2020 report, researchers reported organ rejection in 9.1% of recipients ages 18 to 34 and 5.9% of recipients over 65.

In the 2016 study, the researchers found that donor age was the fourth leading risk factor. Increasing donor age was associated with a higher chance of kidney rejection.

Cold ischemic time

Cold ischemic time is the time between chilling the donated kidney and restoring its blood supply. A shorter duration is associated with higher rates of successful surgery. In the 2016 study, the researchers found that this was the top factor for predicting outcomes.

Creatinine levels at discharge

Creatinine levels give your doctor a good estimation of how well your kidneys are working. In the 2016 study, the researchers found that creatinine levels at hospital discharge were the third most important factor for predicting outcomes.

Duration of hospitalization

The same group of researchers found that the duration of hospitalization was the fifth leading risk factor. Longer-than-typical hospital stays were associated with poorer survival.

Ethnicity

According to the OPTN/SRTR 2020 report, Asian recipients had the highest survival rate and Black recipients had the lowest.

According to 2020 clinical practice guidelines on kidney transplantation, all people with chronic kidney disease who are expected to reach end stage kidney disease should be considered for transplantation.

The guidelines recommend that doctors refer all potential candidates for evaluation at least 6 to 12 months before those people are likely to need dialysis.

The incidence of end stage kidney failure is rapidly increasing. The most common causes are diabetes and high blood pressure.

Each transplant center has its own guidelines for transplants. Some centers may have age restrictions or may not consider you a candidate if you have certain medical conditions.

According to the National Kidney Foundation, factors that might affect candidacy include:

• recent cancer diagnosis
• severe heart disease
• insufficient health to survive the transplant
• active infection
• tobacco use or substance misuse
• obesity

People with end stage kidney failure need to undergo continuous dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive. Kidney transplants have high rates of success and are the preferred treatment for people who are eligible. However, finding an appropriate donor can take years.

Your doctor can help you figure out whether you qualify for a kidney transplant and start the process of applying for a donation.

Kidney Transplant Success Rates and Potential Complications

Your kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs found below your rib cage on either side of your spine. The primary function of your kidneys is to filter waste and extra fluid from your blood to make urine.

A kidney transplant is a procedure to replace an unhealthy kidney with a new kidney from a donor. End stage kidney failure is the most common reason people receive kidney transplants. People with end stage kidney failure need long-term dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive.

Kidney transplants are generally very successful at extending life for people who are eligible. Up to 97% of transplanted kidneys survive for at least 1 year.

There are two types of kidney transplant.

Living-donor kidney transplant (LDKT) is when the kidney comes from a person who is still alive, often a family member of the recipient.

Deceased-donor kidney transplant (DDKT) is when the kidney comes from a person who is deceased.

Keep reading to learn more about the success rates of these two procedures.

The Organ Procurement Transplant Network (OPTN) is a nonprofit that manages the United States organ transplant system. Each year, together with the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR), the OPTN releases an annual report providing an analysis of organ transplants.

According to the 2020 annual report, 83.9% of LDKT recipients over age 65 are alive 5 years after their transplant. The 5-year survival rate is higher in people ages 18 to 35, at 97.8%. People who had kidney failure due to diabetes had the lowest 5-year survival rate compared to other causes, at 88.3%.

The 5-year survival rates are higher among LDKT recipients than among DDKT recipients of the same age. LDKT recipients also tend to spend less time on dialysis.

The 5-year survival rate for transplanted kidneys is slightly lower than the 5-year survival rate for people who have received a kidney. A total of 81. 6% of transplanted kidneys in people over 65, and 90.9% in people ages 35 to 49, survive for at least 5 years.

Success rates for DDKT are high but lower than those for LDKT. More DDKTs are performed each year since there are more deceased donors available. Roughly four times more DDKTs than LDKTs were performed in 2020, according to the OPTN/SRTR 2020 report.

The 5-year survival rate for DDKT is 74.3% in people over 65 and 95.8% in people ages 18 to 34.

As with LDKT, people with kidney failure due to diabetes had the lowest 5-year survival rate, 81.1%.

Despite the high success rates, wait times for kidney transplants are often very long. Of people placed on waiting lists from 2015 to 2017:

• 34.6% were still waiting after 3 years
• 25% had undergone a DDKT
• 14% had undergone an LDKT
• 6.4% had died
• 20% had been removed from the list

Many factors, including the following, can affect the success rate of a kidney transplant.

Age

The ages of the donor and the recipient can affect the chances of success. In a 2016 study, researchers found that recipient age was the second leading risk factor for predicting kidney transplant outcomes.

Perhaps counterintuitively, as age increases, so does the predicted survival time — likely because younger people have younger immune systems that can lead to more organ rejections.

In the OPTN/SRTR 2020 report, researchers reported organ rejection in 9.1% of recipients ages 18 to 34 and 5.9% of recipients over 65.

In the 2016 study, the researchers found that donor age was the fourth leading risk factor. Increasing donor age was associated with a higher chance of kidney rejection.

Cold ischemic time

Cold ischemic time is the time between chilling the donated kidney and restoring its blood supply. A shorter duration is associated with higher rates of successful surgery. In the 2016 study, the researchers found that this was the top factor for predicting outcomes.

Creatinine levels at discharge

Creatinine levels give your doctor a good estimation of how well your kidneys are working. In the 2016 study, the researchers found that creatinine levels at hospital discharge were the third most important factor for predicting outcomes.

Duration of hospitalization

The same group of researchers found that the duration of hospitalization was the fifth leading risk factor. Longer-than-typical hospital stays were associated with poorer survival.

Ethnicity

According to the OPTN/SRTR 2020 report, Asian recipients had the highest survival rate and Black recipients had the lowest.

According to 2020 clinical practice guidelines on kidney transplantation, all people with chronic kidney disease who are expected to reach end stage kidney disease should be considered for transplantation.

The guidelines recommend that doctors refer all potential candidates for evaluation at least 6 to 12 months before those people are likely to need dialysis.

The incidence of end stage kidney failure is rapidly increasing. The most common causes are diabetes and high blood pressure.

Each transplant center has its own guidelines for transplants. Some centers may have age restrictions or may not consider you a candidate if you have certain medical conditions.

According to the National Kidney Foundation, factors that might affect candidacy include:

• recent cancer diagnosis
• severe heart disease
• insufficient health to survive the transplant
• active infection
• tobacco use or substance misuse
• obesity

People with end stage kidney failure need to undergo continuous dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive. Kidney transplants have high rates of success and are the preferred treatment for people who are eligible. However, finding an appropriate donor can take years.

Your doctor can help you figure out whether you qualify for a kidney transplant and start the process of applying for a donation.

Kidney Transplant – Acıbadem

Kidney transplant is the best option for treating kidney failure. Acıbadem Medical Group is the leading kidney transplant center in Turkey.

Kidney transplant surgery

Kidney transplant is an operation for patients with kidney failure. Healthy kidneys perform many functions, including filtering waste products and toxins, secreting erythropoietin to stimulate red blood cell production, renin release to help control blood pressure, and more. Kidney failure affects the vital functions of the body and causes problems with the heart, lungs and bones. The progressive loss of kidney function is known as kidney failure, or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). People with kidney failure need dialysis or a kidney transplant. In some cases, dialysis can save a life, but the machine cannot completely replace all the functions of a healthy organ. Research shows that a successful kidney transplant results in better quality and longer life than dialysis. In the long run, it is also the most cost-effective alternative to dialysis.

During a kidney transplant, the recipient receives a healthy organ from a deceased or living donor. The new kidney is placed in the abdominal cavity and connected to the vessels and bladder. Damaged kidneys are usually not removed unless they are causing problems. Kidney transplantation is a major operation and its success depends on many factors, including the experience of the team and the transplant center.

Living Kidney Donation

Worldwide, despite all efforts, there is a shortage of organs from deceased donors. It is known that one healthy kidney is enough to live a full life. Thus, a living donor kidney transplant may be an alternative to long waiting lists for some patients. Healthy people who want to help a loved one can choose to donate a live kidney. In this case, the donor and recipient must have compatible blood types and tissue types. However, today there are effective solutions for successful transplantation from a living donor, even if the donor and recipient are incompatible. In this case, another pair of recipient-donor is selected, and in case of compatibility, two successful transplants take place at once (paired donation, or cross-transplantation). Paired donation ensures that each recipient receives a suitable kidney.

In Turkey, foreign patients can only apply for a living donor kidney transplant. They must have a donor who is willing to donate it for free. There are criteria for living donors: over 25 years of age, a close relative (up to the 4th degree of kinship), or another donor with a healthy functioning kidney and good general health, approved by the Ethics Committee. At Acıbadem Kidney Transplant Center, due to a thorough preoperative examination, it is possible to perform a safe transplant from a living donor – if there are any potential risks to the health of the donor, the operation is not performed.

Kidney Transplant Procedure

Before a living donor kidney transplant, both the donor and the recipient undergo detailed laboratory tests, imaging tests, and physical examinations. After the assessment is completed, if all is well, surgery can be scheduled. At Acıbadem Kidney Transplant Center, donors can benefit from minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopic donor nephrectomy). It involves a small incision and, as a result, a faster recovery process. Advanced surgical techniques allow the kidney to be removed through a single opening (navel or birth canal in women). The recipient is usually taken to the intensive care unit for close observation immediately after transplantation. If the kidney is from a living donor, it usually starts working immediately or shortly after surgery.

Kidney transplant for children

Kidney transplant may be required for infants and children of all ages. In children, the most common causes of kidney failure are congenital anomalies and genetic conditions. Congenital urinary tract disease and multiple organ involvement complicate the transplantation process, as additional surgeries such as open vesicostomy and bladder enlargement may be required. Acıbadem Transplant Center specialists have extensive experience in neonatal and pediatric patients, including complex cases and combined liver and kidney transplants. Our graft and patient survival rate for pediatric kidney transplants is 100%.

Transplant recovery

After a kidney transplant, patients must spend several days in the clinic to recover. They are closely monitored for any complications such as bleeding or infection. Most patients can walk the day after surgery. At Acıbadem Kidney Transplant Center, the donor usually stays at the clinic for two days. The recipient is discharged after seven days. Patients can return to normal life within a few weeks. They will have to take immunosuppressive drugs for the rest of their lives to help prevent rejection of the new organ. During the first months after surgery, regular follow-up examinations will be required to make sure that the kidneys are working well and immunosuppressants are properly selected.

After kidney transplant

Life after kidney transplant is similar to life before kidney failure. After a successful transplant, the recipient does not need dialysis, is not significantly restricted in food, and generally feels well. However, some rules must be followed to keep the new organ healthy. It is recommended to maintain an active lifestyle, implement healthy habits and follow a diet low in salt and fat. Immunosuppressants should be taken every day as prescribed. The most common cause of organ rejection is precisely the irregular intake of drugs that prevent rejection. The symptoms of transplant rejection are often mild, so regular tests and check-ups are a must. In most cases, experienced professionals can handle organ rejection.

How long does a kidney last after transplantation?

A transplanted kidney does not have an “expiration date”. For some patients, it may last a lifetime, while others may require several transplants. The lifespan of a transplanted organ depends on many factors, including the general health of the donor and recipient, whether the donor was alive or deceased, the reason for the transplant, etc. In the event that the transplant fails, the patient can start dialysis or retransplantation – retransplantation.

In 2020, a woman living in France celebrated 50 years of active life after a kidney transplant. A man who underwent a transplant in 1971 is considered one of the longest living kidney transplant recipients in the UK. Another example: a patient who survived a transplant in June 1977 is considered the longest-lived in Asia. Currently, surgical techniques and immunosuppressive drugs are much more advanced, and kidney transplant recipients can expect even better results.

Kidney transplant success rates

Kidney transplant outcomes have improved dramatically in recent decades. Advances in surgical techniques, a deeper understanding of the immune system and immunosuppression regimens, and better antibiotic treatment are contributing to higher kidney transplant survival. However, kidney transplantation is still a highly specialized medical intervention. Success rates largely depend on the medical center and the team responsible for the operation and long-term follow-up. Acıbadem Kidney Transplant Centers have a transplant survival rate of 99% after the first year, and 94% in the fifth year. Patient survival is 99% in the first year and 95% in the fifth year, respectively.

Kidney transplant in Turkey

Turkey is the world leader in kidney transplantation. More than 3,500 operations are performed here annually. Since there are not enough organs from deceased donors worldwide, 80% of kidney transplants in Turkey are performed from living donors. Transplant programs and success rates are regulated and strictly controlled by the Ministry of Health. Transplant centers are regularly evaluated and their success rate should be over 85%. Many patients from all over the world prefer Turkey for kidney transplant because of the great experience, affordable cost and high success rate.

Why choose Acıbadem for kidney transplant?

Our kidney transplant surgeons perform over 300 surgeries a year and have success rates above the global average. Acıbadem Kidney Transplant Center can also offer:

Advanced surgical techniques. Minimally invasive surgery and innovative techniques increase comfort, reduce the risk of infections and provide better results.

Paired kidney donation. Acıbadem Kidney Transplant Centers often perform successful cross transplants.

Neonatal and pediatric kidney transplantation. Our team of transplantologists has extensive experience in performing operations in complex and unusual cases.

Latest technology . Our operating theaters, intensive care units and laboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment.

Exceptional patient care and international patient care. From the first contact to the postoperative visit, patients arriving from abroad are accompanied and supported by our International Patient Center, which helps them feel at home and go through all the stages of the kidney transplantation process with ease.

Kidney transplant – what is important to know about a kidney transplant

A kidney transplant is a surgical operation during which a healthy organ from another person is transplanted into the patient. Transplantation saves a patient with pathology from the need to undergo a dialysis procedure and returns him to a normal social life. Moreover, transplantation as a renal replacement therapy is clinically more effective.

In case of severe kidney disease, neither diet nor drug treatment can save them. To save the patient’s life, the doctor offers options: dialysis or transplantation.

Kidney transplantation will help:

How safe is the operation? The biggest risk is rejection of the transplanted organ.

Most cases of rejection and other complications occur in the first 3-4 months after transplantation. Most patients recover and return to a normal and active life.

Organ transplantation is not always possible. In the presence of a number of diseases, surgical intervention can lead to serious complications that further aggravate human health.

Contraindications for kidney transplantation are absolute, when the operation is impossible, and relative, when doctors consider a combination of factors and make a decision.

Absolute contraindications

Malignant tumors;
Diseases of other organs in the stage of decompensation;
AIDS;
Tuberculosis;
Severe vascular disease;
Oxalosis;
Certain urinary tract anomalies;
Obesity;
Drug and alcohol addiction.

Relative contraindications

Age over 75;
Cirrhosis of the liver;
Active hepatitis;
Active systemic disease;
Exacerbation of chronic diseases;
Acute infectious diseases.

The process of preparing a patient for surgery is lengthy and includes a physical examination and a series of examinations. Based on the data about the patient, the doctor prescribes a course of drugs that are necessary for a successful operation.

Before going to a transplantologist, it is necessary to undergo a series of examinations and tests.

List of examinations

ECG;
Echocardiography;
Ultrasound of the abdominal organs;
EGDS;
Colonoscopy;
Mammography;
CT/MRI;
External respiration function;
Coronary angiography;
Bicycle ergometry.

List of tests

CBC;
Rh factor and blood type;
Biochemical blood test;
Blood for RW, hepatitis B and C, HIV;
Coagulogram;
Urinalysis;
Hemoglobin;
Blood for Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus;
Immunological examination: HLA testing.

The team of physicians then discusses the patient’s results and determines whether the patient is eligible for an organ transplant. In case of a positive decision, the search for a suitable donor and his examination for compatibility begin. Doctors must take into account the age, general health of the donor and the patient, and the size of the donor organ in order to reduce the risk of rejection.

What is a “waiting list”

It takes time to find a suitable transplant donor, from several weeks to several years. If the patient has no contraindications for transplantation, he is put on the “waiting list”. This is a list that indicates the necessary indicators obtained during the survey. Mandatory among them are the blood type and special antigen proteins. They also enter full information about the location of the patient and contact details of the next of kin. A suitable kidney may appear at any moment.

A healthy kidney can be obtained from two sources:

• from a blood relative;
• from a post-mortem donor.

A related kidney transplant helps reduce the waiting time for a organ. If there is no possibility of a related transplant, a suitable kidney is removed from a patient who died in the intensive care unit. Posthumous donors are exceptionally healthy people who ended up in intensive care after accidents or accidents.

The donor and the patient must match each other completely: first of all, by blood type, HLA phenotype, age, height and weight. In cases where the subject is in a critical condition, a transplant can be performed between different blood types. The owner of the rarest 4th blood group can be transplanted with a kidney from the 2nd, 3rd, 4th group.

Operation

Organ transplantation is performed under general anesthesia and lasts 3-4 hours. A successful transplant returns the patient to their usual way of life. A transplanted kidney purifies the blood just as well as a native one. Sometimes there is even no need to follow a special diet.

Surgery is a serious stress and burden on the body. The sooner the patient returns to his usual social life, the better the psychological adaptation will be.