Kidney Transplant In Bangladesh

Nephrology is the subspecialty of internal medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the kidney. Because the kidney performs so many critical functions, nephrologists maintain expertise in primary kidney disorders, but also the management of the systemic consequences of kidney dysfunction. Although the prevention and identification and management of early kidney disease is a large part of general internal medicine practice, nephrologists are usually called upon to wassist and manage more complex or advanced nephrology disorders

What is a Nephrologist?

A nephrologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases, including chronic kidney disease, kidney stones, acute kidney injury, and other disorders that affect the kidneys. Nephrologists are trained to manage electrolyte imbalances, hypertension, and fluid and acid-base disorders, which are often associated with kidney problems. They may also be involved in the care of patients who require renal replacement therapy, such as hemodialysis or kidney transplantation.

What is Kidney Transplant?

A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure that involves replacing a diseased or failed kidney with a healthy kidney from a donor. The donated kidney may come from a deceased donor or a living donor, such as a family member or friend who is a compatible match.

During the transplant surgery, the diseased kidney is usually left in place, and the new kidney is placed in the lower abdomen. The blood vessels and ureter of the new kidney are then attached to the recipient’s blood vessels and bladder, respectively. After the surgery, the new kidney begins to function and filter waste and excess fluids from the body, just as a healthy kidney would.

Kidney transplant is often considered the best treatment option for people with end-stage kidney disease who are no longer able to function without dialysis. It can improve the quality of life and increase life expectancy compared to long-term dialysis. However, kidney transplant is a major surgery that requires lifelong immunosuppressive medication to prevent the body from rejecting the new kidney, and there are risks and potential complications associated with the procedure.

Types Of Kidney Transplant?

Deceased-donor kidney transplant
Living-donor kidney transplant
Preemptive kidney transplant

Why it's done?

Kidney transplant is done to treat end-stage kidney disease, a condition in which the kidneys have lost their ability to function properly, and the person cannot survive without dialysis or a kidney transplant. Here are some of the main reasons why kidney transplant may be recommended:

Improved Quality of Life: Kidney transplant can improve the quality of life for people with end-stage kidney disease by restoring kidney function and eliminating the need for dialysis. This can allow the person to resume normal activities, such as work, travel, and leisure, that may have been limited due to dialysis.
Longer Life Expectancy: Kidney transplant can increase the life expectancy for people with end-stage kidney disease compared to long-term dialysis. Studies have shown that the average life expectancy after a successful kidney transplant is around 15-20 years, whereas the average life expectancy on dialysis is around 5 years.
Avoidance of Dialysis Complications: Dialysis is associated with various complications, such as infections, blood clots, and cardiovascular events. Kidney transplant can avoid these complications and improve overall health outcomes.
Treatment of Other Health Conditions: Kidney transplant may also be recommended for people with other health conditions that are related to end-stage kidney disease, such as severe hypertension, anemia, and bone disease.

However, kidney transplant is not suitable for everyone and requires lifelong immunosuppressive medication to prevent the body from rejecting the new kidney, which can have its own risks and side effects.

Risks In Kidney Transplant

Complications of the procedure

Kidney transplant surgery carries a risk of significant complications, including:

Blood clots and bleeding
Leaking from or blockage of the tube (ureter) that links the kidney to the bladder
Infection
Failure or rejection of the donated kidney
An infection or cancer that can be transmitted with the donated kidney
Death, heart attack and stroke

Anti-rejection medication side effects

After a kidney transplant, you’ll take medications to help prevent your body from rejecting the donor’s kidney. These medications can cause a variety of side effects, including:

Bone thinning (osteoporosis) and bone damage (osteonecrosis)
Diabetes
Excessive hair growth or hair loss
High blood pressure
High cholesterol

Other side effects may include:

Increased risk of cancer, particularly skin cancer and lymphoma
Infection
Puffiness (edema)
Weight gain
Acne

How do you prepare for Kidney Transplant?

Preparing for a kidney transplant involves several steps, including:

Evaluation: The first step is to undergo a comprehensive evaluation to determine whether you are a suitable candidate for kidney transplant. This includes medical tests, imaging studies, and consultation with various specialists.
Finding a Donor: You will need to find a compatible donor, which can be a living donor (such as a family member or friend) or a deceased donor. Your transplant center will help you navigate the process of finding a donor.
Pre-Transplant Workup: Before the transplant, you will need to undergo several tests to ensure that you are healthy enough for surgery. This may include blood tests, imaging studies, and other diagnostic tests.
Medication Management: You may need to adjust or stop taking certain medications, such as blood thinners or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), prior to the transplant. You will also be given immunosuppressive medications to prevent rejection after the transplant.
Lifestyle Changes: It’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle before the transplant, including eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding smoking and alcohol.
Mental Health Support: Kidney transplant can be a stressful and emotional process, and it’s important to have support from family, friends, and mental health professionals to help you cope with the challenges.
Education: Your transplant team will provide education about the transplant process, including what to expect before, during, and after the surgery, as well as how to manage the immunosuppressive medications and potential complications.

Overall, preparation for kidney transplant requires a collaborative effort between the patient, the transplant team, and the support network.

Evaluation Process of Kidney Transplant

After you’ve selected a transplant center, you’ll be evaluated to determine whether you meet the center’s eligibility requirements for a kidney transplant.

The team at the transplant center will assess whether you:

Are healthy enough to have surgery and tolerate lifelong post-transplant medications
Have any medical conditions that would interfere with transplant success
Are willing and able to take medications as directed and follow the suggestions of the transplant team

The evaluation process may take several days and includes:

A thorough physical exam
Imaging studies, such as X-ray, MRI or CT scans
Blood tests
Psychological evaluation
Any other necessary testing as determined by your doctor

After your evaluation, your transplant team will discuss the results with you and tell you whether you’ve been accepted as a kidney transplant candidate. Each transplant center has its own eligibility criteria. If you aren’t accepted at one transplant center, you may apply to others.

What you can expect from kidney transplant?

A kidney transplant is a major surgical procedure that can improve quality of life and increase life expectancy for people with end-stage kidney disease. Here are some of the things you can expect from a kidney transplant:

Surgery: Kidney transplant surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia and involves making an incision in the abdomen to place the new kidney. The surgery can take several hours and requires a hospital stay of several days to a week.
Recovery: After the surgery, you can expect a period of recovery that involves pain management, monitoring for complications, and follow-up appointments with the transplant team.
Immunosuppressive Medications: To prevent rejection of the new kidney, you will need to take immunosuppressive medications for the rest of your life. These medications can have side effects and require careful monitoring to ensure that they are working effectively.
Improved Kidney Function: A successful kidney transplant can restore normal kidney function and eliminate the need for dialysis.
Improved Quality of Life: A kidney transplant can improve quality of life by allowing you to return to normal activities, such as work, travel, and socializing, that may have been limited by kidney disease.
Long-Term Health Risks: Although a kidney transplant can improve health and quality of life, there are also long-term health risks associated with the procedure, such as infection, high blood pressure, and increased risk of certain cancers.

Overall, a kidney transplant can provide many benefits for people with end-stage kidney disease

What is the cost of Kidney Transplant in Bangladesh?

The cost of kidney transplant in Bangladesh can vary depending on several factors, such as the hospital or medical center where the procedure is performed, the expertise of the medical team, the type of transplant (living or deceased donor), and the patient’s individual needs and medical conditions.

In general, the cost of a kidney transplant in Bangladesh can range from around 2,000,000 to 3,500,000 BDT (approximately 23,500 to 41,000 USD) for a living donor transplant and around 1,500,000 to 2,500,000 BDT (approximately 18,000 to 29,500 USD) for a deceased donor transplant.

It’s important to note that the cost of the transplant is just one part of the overall expense of kidney transplantation, which also includes pre-transplant evaluation, post-transplant care, medications, and follow-up appointments. It’s essential to discuss the potential costs with the medical team and insurance provider to understand the overall expenses involved in the kidney transplant process.

Top 10 Kidney Specialists or Nephrologists:

Dr. Sandeep Guleria

Education: MBBS, MS, DNB, FRCS, FRCS

Specialty: Senior Transplant Surgeon

Experience: 15 Years

Hospital: Indraprastha Apollo Hospital

About: Dr. Sandeep Guleria was recently Professor of Surgery at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences(AIIMS).

Prof. Guleria has numerous firsts to his credit. He led the team that did the first cadaveric renal transplant in India from a brain dead donor.

He also led the team that did the first two successful kidney-pancreas transplants in India. He was actively involved in the modifications of the Human Organ Transplant Act through the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation. Also Handling Patients from Bangladesh

Dr. Rajesh Ahlawat

Education: MBBS, MS – General Surgery, MNAMS – General Surgery, MCh – Urology

Specialty: General Surgeon, Urologist

Experience: 44 Years

Hospital: Medanta – The Medicity

About: Dr. Ahlawat has worked in leading Institutions of North India and has established successful Minimally Invasive Urology programs including Robotic Surgery and Kidney Transplant services with excellent outcomes comparable to best in the world.

Dr. Ahlawat has initiated and established four successful Urology and Renal Transplant programs in India & Bangladesh at Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, Fortis Hospitals, New Delhi, and Medanta, the Medicity, Gurgaon. He has spearheaded the busiest Minimally Invasive Urology services in India at of his workplaces. Also Handling Patients from Bangladesh

Dr. Joseph Thachil

Education: MD Urology, Diploma in Urology

Specialty: Urologist

Experience: 45 Years

Hospital: Apollo Hospital

About: Dr. Joseph Thachil is a Urologist in Greams Road, Chennai and has experience of 45 years in this field. Dr. Joseph Thachil practices at Apollo Hospital in Greams Road, Chennai. He completed MD – Urology from the University of Zurich in 1968, FRCS from the University of Toronto in 1983 and Diploma in Urology from the American Board of Urology in 1982. Also Handling Patients from Bangladesh

Dr. Bijoy Abraham

Education: MBBS, MS, DNB, MCh, DNB, FRCS

Specialty: CONSULTANT, UROLOGY AND TRANSPLANT SURGERY

Experience: 30 Years

Hospital: Kokilaben Hospital

About: Dr. Bejoy Abraham is an accomplished Urologist, practicing successfully for over 30 years. he carries out Renal Transplantation, Uro Oncology treatment, and Robotic Surgery. He also performs Arthroplasties, Cystoplasty, MACE, Epispadias, Exstrophy Repair, Implants, TVT, Female Urology, Neurovesical Dysfunction, BOARI FLAP, Cystectomy, RPLND, Pyeloplasty, Endourology & Stone, Radical Nephrectomy with IVC thrombectomy and Laparoscopic donor Nephrology. He has special acumen in managing Kidney Stones, Bladder Cancer, Reconstructive Urology, Erectile Dysfunction, and Paediatric Urology. Also Handling Patients from Bangladesh

Dr. S. N Wadhwa

Education: MBBS, MS – General Surgery, MCh – Urology

Specialty: Urologist

Experience: 49 Years

Hospital: Sir Ganga Ram Hospital

About: Dr. S N Wadhwa is a renowned urologist based in New Delhi with more than four decades of experience. He is currently impaneled as an advisor in the department of urology at Sri Ganga Ram Hospital. After his graduation, he completed his MS in general surgery and MCh in urology and has been in practice ever since and has dealt with even the most complex cases through his long span of a career. Dr. Wadhwa has a special interest in reconstructive surgery and gives his undivided attention to the welfare of his patients. Also Handling Patients from Bangladesh

Dr. Arun Halankar

Education: MBBS, MD – General Medicine, Fellowship in Nephrology