The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs with the primary function of filtering out and removing waste materials and fluid from our bodies in the form of urine. But in case the kidneys lose their ability to function appropriately, these waste materials and fluid can accumulate inside the body; which potentially increases your blood pressure and leaves you at risk of developing kidney failure.
Those with diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney scarring, or polycystic kidney disease are highly at risk of kidney failure. For those suffering from kidney failure, dialysis is the best way to remove the harmful waste products from their body, or possibly a kidney transplant.
What is a Kidney Transplant?
During a kidney transplant surgery, the nonfunctioning kidney is removed and replaced with a healthy kidney. Patients who are eligible for a kidney transplant can get a kidney from a living or deceased donor. A person only needs one kidney to live. There are currently 2 types of kidney transplants:
Preemptive transplant, which is performed before you start dialysis
Early transplant, which is performed not too long after kidney failure but after you begin to undergo dialysis
What are the risks & side effects of kidney transplant?
Risks related to the procedure itself
Risks related to the use of immunosuppressant medicines (which reduce the activity of your immune system)
Risks related to something going wrong with the transplanted kidney
Short-term complications
Infection
Minor infections, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), colds, and flu, are common after kidney transplants. You can also get more serious infections, such as pneumonia and cytomegalovirus (CMV), which may require hospital treatment.
Blood clots
Blood clots can develop in the arteries that have been connected to the donated kidney. It may be possible to dissolve the blood clots using the medicine, but it's often necessary to remove the donated kidney if the blood supply is blocked. There is also a risk of developing blood clots in the legs. This is called deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Narrowing of an artery
Narrowing of the artery connected to the donated kidney, known as arterial stenosis, can sometimes happen after a kidney transplant. Sometimes, it can develop months, or even years, after the transplant. Arterial stenosis can cause a rise in blood pressure. The artery often needs to be stretched to widen it, and a small metal tube called a stent may be placed inside the affected artery to stop it from narrowing again.
Blocked ureter
The ureter (the tube that carries pee from the kidney to the bladder) can become blocked after a kidney transplant. It can also be blocked months or years later, usually due to scar tissue. It may be possible to unblock the ureter by draining it with a small tube called a catheter. Sometimes surgery may be required to unblock the ureter.
Urine leakage
Occasionally, pee may leak from where the ureter joins the bladder after surgery. This usually happens during the first month after the procedure. The fluid may build up in the tummy or leak through the surgical incision. If you develop a urine leak, you'll usually need to have further surgery to repair it.
Acute rejection
Acute rejection means the immune system suddenly begins to attack the donated kidney because it recognizes it as foreign tissue. Despite the use of immunosuppressants, acute rejection is a common complication in the first year after a transplant, affecting up to 1 in 3 people. In many cases, acute rejection does not cause noticeable symptoms and is only detected by a blood test. If it does happen, it can often be successfully treated with a short course of more powerful immunosuppressants.
Long-term complications
Immunosuppressant side effects
Immunosuppressants prevent your body's immune system from attacking the new kidney, which would cause the transplanted kidney to be rejected. A combination of 2 or 3 different immunosuppressants is usually taken long-term. These can cause a wide range of side effects, including:
An increased risk of infections
An increased risk of diabetes
High blood pressure
Weight gain
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
The extra hair growth or hair loss
Swollen gums
Bruising or bleeding more easily
Thinning of the bones
Acne
Mood swings
An increased risk of certain types of cancer, particularly skin cancer
Diabetes
Diabetes is a common complication of having a kidney transplant. Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person's blood sugar level to become too high. Some people develop it after a kidney transplant because, as they no longer feel unwell, they eat more and gain too much weight. Diabetes can often be controlled using a combination of lifestyle changes, such as alterations to your diet, and medicine. Symptoms of diabetes include:
Feeling very thirsty
Peeing a lot, especially at night
Tiredness
High blood pressure
High blood pressure is also a common long-term complication of a kidney transplant. Many people who need a kidney transplant already have an increased risk of developing high blood pressure and taking immunosuppressants can make the condition worse. High blood pressure does not usually cause any noticeable symptoms, but it can increase your risk of developing other serious conditions, such as heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes. Because of the risk of high blood pressure, your blood pressure will be checked at your follow-up appointments. You can also check your blood pressure at home with a simple device available from most pharmacies.
Cancer
The long-term use of immunosuppressants also increases your risk of developing some types of cancer, particularly types known to be caused by viruses (as you will be more vulnerable to the effects of infection). These include:
Most types of skin cancer – including melanoma and non-melanoma
Kaposi's sarcoma – a type of cancer that can affect both skin and internal organs
Lymphoma – a cancer of the lymphatic system
You can reduce your risk of skin cancer by avoiding exposure to the sun during the hottest part of the day and by applying sun cream to your lips and all exposed areas of your skin every day.
Conclusion
Kidney transplant surgery is a life-saving procedure for people with end-stage renal disease, but it also carries some serious risks and challenges. Some of the possible complications of kidney transplant surgery include bleeding, infection, blood clots, leakage or blockage of the ureter, and failure or rejection of the donated kidney. Additionally, the recipient may develop an infection or cancer from the donor kidney, or suffer from a heart attack or stroke. Therefore, kidney transplant surgery requires careful evaluation, preparation, and follow-up to ensure the best possible outcome for the recipient and the donor.