Kidney transplantation is a surgical procedure that replaces the function of severely diseased kidneys by transplanting a healthy kidney from another person, called a donor.
The main functions of the kidneys are to control the volume and composition of fluids in the body, and to eliminate harmful substances produced by metabolism.
The extent of kidney function can be measured using formulas that estimate the blood filtration capacity of the kidneys; this is defined as “glomerular filtration rate” (GFR), and is expressed in millilitres (ml, thousandths of a liter) of blood purified in one minute (min).
When the kidneys are functioning normally, the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is between 90 and 120 ml/min. Below 90 ml/min. we speak of renal failure.
A general distinction is made between acute renal failure , due to sudden organic or functional damage to the kidneys, which in some cases can be reversed with appropriate treatment
chronic renal failure , a progressive decline in renal function that may be caused by the progression of acute renal failure or, more commonly, by a wide range of kidney diseases that develop slowly over time (chronic).
When the kidneys lose their function in a stable and irreversible way, as is the case with chronic renal failure, fluids are no longer filtered and eliminated to the extent necessary, and waste products accumulate, causing serious damage to the entire organism. If renal function is reduced below an estimated GFR threshold of 15 ml/min, it becomes incompatible with life.
Severe and irreversible loss of kidney function, known as end-stage renal failure or “chronic uraemia”, can be replaced by an “artificial” blood filtration procedure known as haemodialysis; however, this type of treatment is partial and can be uncomfortable and disabling for the patient undergoing it. For this reason, whenever possible, a kidney transplant is the treatment of first choice for end-stage renal failure.
Requirements for a kidney transplant
Most people in need of a kidney transplant can undergo this operation, regardless of age, provided :
their physical condition is good enough to withstand the effects of general anesthesia and surgery
the patient is willing to undergo the indicated post-transplant treatments (e.g., anti-rejection drugs called immunosuppressants) and to follow the post-operative monitoring program
the transplant has a good chance of success
Reasons why a transplant may not be safe or effective include the presence of a current infection (requiring pre-treatment), serious heart problems, cancer or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome ( AIDS ).
Kidney donation
Unlike other types of organ donation, it is possible to donate a kidney even during one’s lifetime, as a single kidney ensures adequate function for normal health conditions.
Individuals wishing to be considered as kidney donors are analyzed very carefully, both physically and psychologically, to exclude the possibility that kidney donation could cause harm to the donor himself or to the patient who is to receive it, and that the will to donate is free of constraints and conscious. In most cases, living donations come from close relatives, as they are more likely to have genetic characteristics and a blood type compatible with the patient, thus reducing the risk of rejection. In all cases, assessing the suitability of the living donor is always a complex and scrupulous process, supported by an independent commission of experts, known as a “third party”, and validated by a magistrate.
Kidney donation is also possible from people who have died as a result of direct brain injury (known as “brain death”), provided that the donor has expressed during his lifetime (in writing or verbally to his family) the wish to donate the organs after his death. . or, if he has not expressed this wish, if his family members do not object. This type of donation is known as “cadaveric kidney donation”, because organs can only be removed after death has been confirmed, following a carefully defined procedure and within a short timeframe to ensure that the organs to be transplanted remain functional.
Transplantation from a living donor, on the other hand, being carried out with an organ from a person in perfect health and with a procedure that minimizes the ischemic damage associated with the operation to remove the kidney, has a greater chance of long-term success than that from a deceased donor, and is currently the most effective therapeutic choice for the treatment of end-stage renal failure.
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The average cost of a kidney transplant in Turkey
The cost of kidney transplantation in Turkey is relatively lower than in other developed countries. However, the cost of a kidney transplant depends on various factors such as:
- Number of hospitalizations required and choice of room
- Total number of days spent in intensive care
- Consultation and procedure fees
- Tests required before surgery
- Post-operative care
- Choice of hospital
- Type of transplant
- Whether dialysis is required
- Any other procedure if necessary
The average cost starts at between 18,000 and 25,000 USD . The Turkish Ministry of Health is making constant efforts to reduce the cost of kidney transplantation and improve quality of life.
The low cost of surgery is one of the main reasons why foreigners choose Turkey as their destination for a kidney transplant.
