Chronic kidney failure, which is among the important health problems in our country, is treated with dialysis if a suitable organ cannot be found. Our General Surgery Specialist said, "Loss of function in the kidney can lead to chronic kidney failure over time, which can lead to organ transplantation."
People with hypertension, diabetes or a combination of both may experience loss of kidney function. In addition, in a large group of diseases defined as kidney stones and infections, congenital urinary system problems, and glomerulonephritis, the same problem can be encountered due to unconscious medication use. However, stating that many of these diseases do not show symptoms in the early period, Yeditepe University Hospital Kidney Transplantation Clinic Supervisor said, “Diseases that progress slowly are detected late because they cause an adaptation in the body.”
It Progresses Insidiously
Fatigue, nausea, and vomiting are seen most frequently in kidney patients due to very high urea values. Symptoms such as frequent urination when it is due to diabetes and headaches if it is due to blood pressure can be encountered. Therefore, in case of any problems, they should be followed up without neglect and regular health checks should be made. Thus, it is possible to take precautions in the early period by revealing the risk factors.
Everyone with Kidney Failure Needs to be Examined
Loss of kidney function can lead to chronic kidney failure over time, which can lead to organ transplantation. Therefore, pointing out that it is important to evaluate everyone with kidney failure in terms of kidney transplantation, our General Surgery Specialist said, “In this context, very detailed examinations including the patient's cardiovascular system, lungs, and body biochemistry are required. In addition, it is important to evaluate women in the department of gynecology and obstetrics, and men in the department of urology. As a result of all the evaluations, the person's suitability for kidney transplantation is determined and the transplantation treatment process is started. If there is a living donor, screening is performed on the patient's relatives up to the fourth degree. For non-relative living donors, the decision of the ethics committees in the provincial health directorates is decisive. Those who do not have a relative are included in the organ waiting list.”
Donor Surgery is Performed with a Closed Method
In general, surgeries are performed for the treatment of diseases. The only exception is organ donor surgeries. These people are operated on because they are healthy. Performing transplant surgeries by advanced methods is important in terms of shortening the time for organ donors to return to their routine lives. Kidney donor surgeries are now performed with laparoscopic surgery, which is defined as a closed method. In this way, postoperative pain complaints are less, and the healing process is accelerated. The transplanted kidney is then transplanted to the patient with chronic kidney failure. The first three months after the operation are of great importance. This period refers to the critical period of the adaptation process of the patient whose medication adjustments are made to a transplanted life. Noting that the dose and number of medications start to decrease over time after intensive medication treatment, our General Surgery Specialist said, “It is necessary to be cautious in order to reduce the risk of infection in the first three months after kidney transplantation. For this purpose, it is necessary to stay away from crowded and poorly ventilated environments, and to avoid contact with sick individuals, especially in terms of diseases that may spread through breathing. Kidney transplantation is not a treatment that ends with surgery. It starts with surgery and continues throughout life.”
The Rate of Living Donor Transplants in Turkey is Quite High
Explaining that due to the insufficient number of organ donations from people who pass away in our country, living donor transplantations are still performed at this rate, our General Surgery Specialist said, “However, it is also a solution to the helplessness of tens of thousands of patients waiting for an organ, especially kidney transplantations. More organ donations after death are made in Europe and America than in our country. For example, while 70-80% of organ transplantations in Spain are made by donations from people who pass away, the rate of living donor transplantations in Turkey is reported to be 80%.”
One Day We All May Need It!
Stating that organ donation should be considered social insurance, Yeditepe University Hospital Kidney Transplantation Clinic Supervisor said, “When you or a relative needs organ transplantation, this depends on the awareness of organ donation in the society you live in. If you live in a society like our country where the donation rate after death is low, your only alternative is a living donor kidney transplantation. Therefore, your organ donation and your contribution to social awareness on this issue actually mean insuring your personal future."
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