Kidney Transplant
Kidney Transplant
Kidney Transplant Surgery with Well Dems Travel Agency
Kidney transplantation is the most effective treatment for kidney failure. Well Dems Travel Agency collaborates with one of the leading healthcare centers in Turkey for kidney transplant surgery, offering the best treatment options to its patients.
Kidney Transplant Surgery
A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure performed for patients with kidney failure. Healthy kidneys perform various functions, such as filtering waste products and toxins, secreting erythropoietin to stimulate red blood cell production, and secreting renin to help control blood pressure. When the kidneys lose their function, these vital body functions are affected, leading to problems in the heart, lungs, and bones. Advanced kidney function loss is known as kidney failure or end-stage renal disease. People with kidney failure need either dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive. While dialysis can be a life-saving option, a machine cannot perform all the functions of a healthy organ. Studies show that a successful kidney transplant provides better quality of life and life expectancy compared to dialysis. In the long term, it is more cost-effective than dialysis.
During kidney transplant surgery, the recipient receives a healthy organ from a deceased or living donor. The new kidney is placed in the abdomen and connected to blood vessels and the bladder. The damaged kidneys are usually not removed unless they cause problems. Kidney transplant is a major surgery, and success rates also depend on the experience of the transplant center and team.
Living Kidney Donation
Despite all efforts, there is a global shortage of organs from deceased donors. However, people can live with one healthy kidney. Therefore, living donor kidney transplantation offers an alternative to long waiting lists for some patients. Healthy individuals who wish to help their loved ones can donate a kidney. Ideally, the donor and recipient have the same tissue type and compatible blood groups. However, today, successful living donor transplants are possible even if the donor is not compatible. Sometimes a recipient-donor pair can be matched with another pair, and kidneys can be exchanged. This is called paired donation or cross-transplant. Paired donation ensures that each recipient receives a suitable kidney.
In Turkey, international patients can only apply for a living donor kidney transplant. The criteria for living kidney donation include being 25 years or older, being a relative up to the fourth degree or approved by the ethics committee, having healthy kidney function, and being in generally good health. At the Kidney Transplant Center, in collaboration with Well Dems Travel Agency, a detailed preoperative evaluation ensures that living donation is a safe procedure; if there is a risk to a donor's future health, they are not allowed to donate.
Kidney Transplant Procedure
Before a living donor kidney transplant, both the donor and recipient undergo detailed laboratory tests, imaging diagnostics, and physical examinations. Once the evaluation is complete, the operation is planned. At the Kidney Transplant Center, donors can benefit from laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, a minimally invasive surgery performed through a small incision for faster recovery. Advanced surgical techniques allow the kidney to be removed through a single port, the navel, or in women, through the birth canal (NOTES procedure). The recipient is taken to the intensive care unit for close monitoring immediately after the transplant. The kidney from a living donor usually starts functioning immediately or shortly after surgery.
Pediatric Kidney Transplant
Babies and children of all ages may require a kidney transplant. The most common causes of kidney failure in pediatric patients are congenital anomalies and genetic conditions. Congenital disorders affecting multiple organs of the urinary tract can create significant challenges for kidney transplants in children and may require additional surgeries. The Kidney Transplant Center, partnered with Well Dems Travel Agency, has extensive experience in neonatal and pediatric kidney patients, including complex cases and combined liver-kidney transplants. Graft and patient survival rates in pediatric kidney transplants are very high.
Kidney Transplant Recovery Time
After kidney transplant surgery, patients are required to stay in the hospital for several days to recover. Potential complications such as bleeding or infection are closely monitored. Most patients can walk the day after the transplant surgery. At the Kidney Transplant Center, partnered with Well Dems Travel Agency, donors typically stay in the hospital for two days, while the recipient is discharged after seven days. Transplant patients can return to normal life within a few weeks. They will need to take medications called immunosuppressants for the rest of their lives to prevent their bodies from rejecting the new organ. Regular follow-up check-ups are necessary during the first months after surgery to ensure the kidney is functioning well and the immunosuppressant drugs are correctly adjusted.
Life After Kidney Transplant
Life after a kidney transplant is similar to life before kidney failure. After a successful kidney transplant, the recipient will not need dialysis, there are no significant dietary restrictions, and they generally feel well. However, certain rules must be followed to keep the transplanted organ healthy. An active lifestyle, healthy habits, and a diet low in salt and fat are recommended for life. Immunosuppressant drugs should be taken every day as prescribed. The most common cause of organ rejection is irregular intake of anti-rejection medications. Symptoms of kidney transplant rejection are usually mild, so regular tests and check-ups are essential. In most cases, experienced doctors can manage organ rejection.
Kidney Transplant Longevity
There is no fixed lifespan for a transplanted kidney. For some patients, it may last a lifetime, while others may require multiple transplants throughout their lives. The longevity of a transplanted organ depends on several factors, including the overall health of the donor and recipient, whether the donor was living or deceased, and the reason for the transplant. Even if the transplanted kidney fails, the patient can still start dialysis or consider a second transplant option called retransplantation.
In 2020, a woman living in France celebrated 50 years of active life after her kidney transplant. A man who underwent a transplant in 1971 is considered one of the longest-surviving kidney transplant patients in the United Kingdom. Another man who had a transplant in June 1977 is known as the longest-surviving patient in Asia. Today, with much more sophisticated surgical techniques and immunosuppressive drugs, kidney recipients can expect even better outcomes.
Kidney Transplant Success Rates
Kidney transplant outcomes have significantly improved in recent years. Advances in surgical techniques, progress in understanding the immune system and immunosuppressive regimens, and better antimicrobial treatment options contribute to higher kidney transplant survival rates. However, kidney transplantation remains a highly specialized medical intervention. Success rates largely depend on the medical center, the team responsible for the operation, and long-term follow-up. At the Kidney Transplant Center partnered with Well Dems Travel Agency, the graft survival rate is 99% after the first year and 94% at the fifth year. The patient survival rate is 99% in the first year and 95% in the fifth year.
Kidney Transplant in Turkey
Turkey is a global leader in kidney transplantation, performing over 3,500 kidney transplants annually. Due to the global shortage of cadaveric organ donations, 80% of kidney transplants in Turkey are performed with living donors. Transplant programs and success rates are strictly regulated and monitored by the Ministry of Health. Transplant centers are regularly evaluated, and success rates must be above 85%. Many patients from around the world choose Turkey for kidney transplants due to the comprehensive experience of the transplant centers, cost-effectiveness, and high success rates.
Why Choose Well Dems Travel Agency for Your Kidney Transplant?
Well Dems Travel Agency partners with a specialized kidney transplant center to offer the best services to its patients. Our kidney transplant surgeons perform over 300 surgeries annually, with success rates exceeding the global average. Well Dems Travel Agency also offers:
- Advanced Surgical Techniques: Minimally invasive surgery and innovative methods enhance comfort, reduce infection risk, and offer better outcomes.
- Paired Kidney Donation: Cross-transplantation is frequently performed with excellent results.
- Neonatal and Pediatric Kidney Transplants: Our transplant team has extensive expertise in complex and challenging cases.
- State-of-the-Art Technology: Our operating rooms, intensive care units, and laboratories are equipped with the latest technology.
- Exceptional Patient Care and International Patient Service: From the initial consultation to post-operative check-ups, our International Patient Center ensures that patients from abroad feel at home and comfortable throughout every stage of the kidney transplant process.
By choosing Well Dems Travel Agency for your kidney transplant, you can experience a safe process with an experienced team, state-of-the-art facilities, and superior patient care.