Kidney Transplant in Turkey

The surgery for a kidney transplant is performed under general anaesthesia and it takes 2-4 hours for a complete procedure. For the transplantation of the kidney, there is a recipient and a donor.

The recipient is the one who receives the kidney and the donor is the one who donates the kidney. While placing the kidney in the recipient’s body it is usually placed in a location different from the original. So, in this respect kidney transplantation differs from other organ transplantations.

In Turkey, living donor kidney transplantation is the most common type of transplantation. The surgery is performed with a closed method. Thus, minimizing the surgical wound, post-operative pain, and other complications. This makes the patient feel comfortable after the surgery is performed.

1. Procedure performed on the recipient
   • An intravenous line is connected through the wrist and a catheter is connected in the arms and neck. This keeps the blood pressure and heart rate under check.
   • The part of the surgical site is prepared and a catheter is inserted in the urinary bladder.
   • Patient is placed on the table in the supine position.
   • General anesthesia is administered with a tube inserted into the lungs through the mouth. The tube is connected to the ventilator for the patient to breathe during surgery.
2. Procedure performed on the donor

    

   • Blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level are closely monitored.
   • The area of the incision is cleaned with an antiseptic solution.
   • Incision is made on the lower abdomen.
   • The kidney is properly examined before proceeding to transplant.
   • Left kidney of the donor is placed on the right side of the recipient and the right kidney of the donor on the left side of the recipient.
   • Required arteries are sewed and gradually the ureter gets connected with the bladder.
   • At last dressing is done.