Everyone has a pair of kidneys located on the posterior abdominal wall below ribs. The normal function of the kidney includes filtering the nutrients out of human blood and excreting urine. Sometimes kidney loses its ability to function normally. When the extent of its function is lost by 90%, it is known as end-stage kidney failure. Such patients need dialysis to remove waste and stay alive. Kidney Transplant is a restorative treatment that reinstates normal body functions by placing a functional kidney in the patient.
Kidney Transplant can happen in three ways:
The bigger question: Why is living donor kidney transplant better than a deceased donor kidney transplant?
Sr. No. | Factors | Living donor | Deceased Donor |
1 | Rejection after Surgery | Minimal risk | Can happen |
2 | Waiting Time for Transplant | Immediately | According to the nationalized list of candidates waiting for a transplant. Around 20 people die every day waiting for an organ transplant. |
3 | Longevity (How long the kidney lasts) | Greater than 10 years for a majority of patients* | Less than living donor kidney transplant* |
4 | Kidney Health before surgery | Better | Kept in cold preservation; Travel time affects its functionality leading to complications. |
5 | Post-Surgical functional achievement | Reported to functioning soon after anastomosis | Takes days to fully function |
6 | The post-surgical requirement of dialysis | Not required (less than 4-5% cases) | The patient may require dialysis until full functionality is achieved. |
7 | Complications to the donor | Minimal complications with laparoscopic donor surgery. In rare cases: Pain Infection Hernia Bleeding Blood clot (DVT) Infected wound. | Donor is Deceased |
8 | Complications to the recipient | Risk of infections due to medications given for preventing rejection of the transplanted kidney. Possible surgical complications. | Same |
9 | Social and Financial Impact |
| Emergency procedures involving huge manpower and money |
*impacted by various donor & recipient factors
Well, after going through all the aspects of living and deceased kidney donation you can decide which one is better and healthier. The most emerging fact is that kidney transplants are much needed. Various studies suggest that life expectancy for a living donor is the same as for similar people who haven’t donated. Some studies suggest living kidney donors may have a somewhat higher risk of kidney failure in the future. But this risk is still lesser than the average risk of kidney failure in the general population. I understand that it is a difficult decision to donate an organ even to a loved one. A person should consider kidney donation after making an informed decision and are mentally prepared.
Prof, Dr. Suman Lata Nayak, Senior Consultant – Nephrology, Kidney Transplant – Adult, Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Delhi & Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Gurugram
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