Inside Kidney Donation: How It Works and Why It's Crucial

In May this year, at AIIMS, two brain-dead patients made a profound impact through organ donation. A 27-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman donated a total of eight organs and four corneas, which together saved the lives of eight individuals and restored vision for four others. The families chose to donate their organs, enabling them to live through the recipients. This was the first occasion that two organ donations occurred simultaneously in Delhi, and the organ retrieval teams from AIIMS and other cities collaborated closely to make this happen.

Vital organs such as the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys are crucial for sustaining life. While each organ is important, the increasing incidence of kidney failure in India is concerning, requiring many more kidney donations.

While dialysis can sustain life for individuals with kidney failure, a kidney transplant is often necessary for individuals with end-stage renal disease or severe kidney dysfunction. This procedure replaces non-functioning kidneys with a healthy donor kidney, restoring the body's ability to filter waste and balance fluids and electrolytes. A successful kidney transplant can greatly improve a patient's quality of life by eliminating the need for dialysis, reducing complications associated with kidney failure, and extending life expectancy. Additionally, it offers greater freedom from dietary and fluid restrictions, allowing patients to resume normal daily activities and enjoy improved well-being.

Kidneys are frequently donated after death, but there are often more people in need of a kidney than available donors. Advances in medical technology have made it possible for living individuals to donate a kidney, increasing the number of transplants from living donors.

The kidney donation involves several stages: evaluation, surgery, and recovery. Here's what donors need to know:

Agreement: The first step involves completing a kidney donor questionnaire, signing an informed consent form, and participating in a telephone interview with an independent living donor advocate. Following this, the medical team will conduct donor testing and evaluation. Documentation is also required in donation. The Delhi High Court has directed that donors or recipients be notified via Whatsapp or email regarding deficiencies in the documentation regarding the organ transplantation process.

Assessment: The evaluation phase ensures both donor safety and transplant success. It includes reviewing the donor's medical and family history, physical examinations, and various laboratory tests to assess blood type compatibility, kidney function, and overall health. Imaging techniques such as CT scans and ultrasounds examine kidney structure and blood flow, while specialised tests evaluate kidney performance. Consultations with surgeons and psychological assessments confirm the donor's readiness and understanding of the procedure. This thorough evaluation ensures that the donor is suitable for surgery and that the kidney is appropriate for transplantation.

Surgery Post-Operative Care and Recovery for Living Organ Donors: Most donors will spend two to three days in the hospital following the procedure. It is normal to experience pain, tenderness, or itching at the incision site and fatigue during the initial weeks of recovery. Once the medical team determines that continuous monitoring is no longer needed, you will be discharged from the hospital. Avoid heavy lifting for about six weeks post-surgery and refrain from contact sports to prevent injury and ensure the safety of your remaining kidney. With proper preparation and support, kidney donation can be a deeply rewarding experience, greatly benefiting the recipient's health and well-being.

It's important to remember that you can reconsider your decision at any time during the evaluation process, up until the moment of surgery. Suppose you choose to withdraw from organ donation, your decision will be discussed with your physicians and managed with utmost confidentiality.

Disclaimer: This information is provided by a qualified healthcare professional. However, it is essential to consult with family members and respective healthcare professionals before making any decisions regarding organ donation or transplantation.