Kidney Transplant in Iran

How Kidney Transplant is done

Kidney transplant is the practice of transplanting a healthy kidney (graft) into the body of a person (recipient) who is suffering from kidney failure. The graft is from a donor who could either be living or deceased. People with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who face kidney failure can receive kidney transplant either right after the failure is diagnosed (Preemptive transplant) or at the time when they are routinely visiting dialysis centers. 

A medical team consisting of a transplant surgeon, nephrologist, and nurse coordinator will evaluate the candidate thoroughly to ensure the risk of kidney rejection is low. Whenever an appropriate donor is available, additional evaluations take place for ensuring the donor's kidney is well-matched. 

During the surgery which is operated under general anesthesia, the surgeon places the donated kidney inside your body.

Kidney transplant is a treatment and not a cure. After a transplant, you are still supposed to take medications for the rest of your life. Immunosuppression medications prevent the body from attacking the newly transplanted kidney and lower the risk of rejection.            

Who is a candidate for a kidney transplant?

People with kidney failure or ESRD can undergo a kidney transplant and omit weekly dialysis sessions. A good candidate for a kidney transplant is more likely to have higher graft survival rates. 

Eligibility 

Following factors should come into consideration when deciding on undergoing a kidney transplant.

Not eligible candidates: 

• Being older than 70
• Heart disease
• Unmanageable psychiatric disorder
• A BMI that is higher than 40
• Active or recently treated cancer
• Being able to
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Severe chronic hypertensionthat cannot be controlled or treated

Eligible candidates:

• People aged between 18 to 30 have the highest rate of donated kidney survival.
• Compatible blood type between the donor and the recipient is crucial. If this is not the case, the donor can use a paired exchange program.
• Having a BMI that is higher than 35 puts the patient at a greater risk of complications. Obese people are often suggested to lose weight or undergo gastric sleeve or gastric bypass.

Donor

All around the world, receiving a kidney from a living donor is not uncommon but it is limited to people (friends and family members) who will donate their organ voluntarily. As a result, people who are not able to receive a kidney from their kin are put on a lengthy waiting list to get a kidney from deceased donors.

Receiving a kidney from a living donor has significantly higher success rates (graft survival).The donor should be in a healthy physical state and compatible with the recipient.

Sometimes, even a family member cannot be a suitable donor. In such cases, a method known as paired exchange is used. In this method, two potential donors, whose blood types are incompatible with the recipients, swap kidneys. 

Before the surgery, the medical team will conduct some evaluations to make sure the donated kidney and the patient are well-matched. These tests include: 

• Blood typing
• Tissue typing
• Crossmatching

Rejection Rate

Receiving kidney from deceased donors has less possibility of graft survival. Whereas a family member's kidney is more likely to survive in the recipient's body. 

The average kidney transplant rejection rates depend largely upon factors like age and the cause of a person's kidney faiure. Generally, kidney transplant rejection rate is as follows:

• 10% in the first year
• 30% in 5 years after the surgery
• 50% in 10 years following the surgery

What You Need to Do Before kidney transplant

After your doctor recommends undergoing a kidney transplant, you will have to select a transplant center. Choose wisely by investigating the clinic thoroughly. You can also consult with our experts to make sure you make the right choice. 

Before you proceed to set a date for the surgery, you will have to take some tests to find out whether a donated kidney may be suitable for you:

• Blood and tissue type tests
• Tests for HIV and hepatitis
• Prostate exam (for men)
• Mammogram and Pap smear (for women)
• Heart and lung exams
• Kidney and liver tests
• Colon exam (colonoscopy)

In this evaluation session, the transplant team will also explain the benefits and consequences of a kidney transplant to you and your family. 

Kidney transplant recovery tips

Post-op recovery

After the procedure, you will need hospitalization up to a week.In this period, the medical team will closely monitor your health and the function of your kidney. 

Generally, you should stay in Iran for 1 month at least. In some cases, the patient might be suggested to stay in Iran for a longer period to make sure everything is working as it should. 

After a kidney transplant, you are put on various anti-rejection drugs. As a result, you are going to have a weaker immune system. Be more careful about your sanitation.

• Keep your hands clean: Wash your hands before and after eating, after touching the soil, different surfaces, pets, and using the toilet.
• Avoid sun exposure: The medications can also put you at the risk of skin cancer. Try to avoid sun exposure and don't forget to use sunblock.
• Prevent exposure to germs: Stay away preschool children, people who might be sick, or crowds with huge numbers of people.

Drugs

After a kidney transplant, you'll have to take medications to help prevent your body from rejecting the donor's kidney. The medications can be classified into 4 groups: 

• Calcineurin Inhibitors: Tacrolimus and Cyclosporine
• Antiproliferative agents: Mycophenolate Mofetil, Mycophenolate Sodium, and Azathioprine
• mTOR inhibitor: Sirolimus
• Steroids: Prednisone

These medications can cause a variety of side effects; including Acne, bone thinning or bone damage, diabetes, excessive hair growth or hair loss, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, increased risk of skin cancer, infection, puffiness, weight gain.

How to prevent rejection

The success rate depends on how healthy you are before the transplant and how much you look after yourself and follow the doctor's orders after the surgery. There are always chances of kidney failure. Clot formation, fluid collection, infection, medicines side effect, and chronic rejection are them the main factors that lead to kidney failure. By following the doctor's orders, never missing a medical appointment and sticking to anti-rejection medications religiously you can reduce the chances of kidney rejection.

What you should and shouldn't eat or drink

• Eat high-fiber and high-protein foods
• Increase your calcium intake
• Drink plenty of water
• Eat more baked, boiled, or grilled food and try to cut off fried food.
• Avoid salty or processed food as much as you can

What happens when kidney transplant fails?

You can reduce the likelihood of kidney failure but you can't avoid it completely. Sometimes the reason that harmed your kidney in the first place can affect the donated kidney as well. That's why the medical team will monitor your kidney function at least once a year and ask you to inform them if you noticed any symptom of kidney failure.

Possible symptoms of kidney failure include:

• Legs, ankle, and feet swelling
• Flu-like symptoms
• Weight gain
• Fatigue
• Urine output reduction
• Irregular heartbeat

After a kidney transplant failure, you may have to get regular dialysis. You can also undergo a kidney transplant one more time. 

What you need to know about kidney transplant in Iran

Kidney transplant is an extremely risky procedure with potential complications and rejection possibility. So, you might wonder if performing the procedure abroad is a wise decision.

The first ever operated kidney transplantation in the middle east was operated in Iran in 1967. Additionally, thanks to Iran's legal market for kidneys, Iranian surgeons perform 2500 kidney transplants annually and as a result, are remarkably experienced specialists. Also, a study suggests that kidney function and graft survival of those who have had kidney transplant abroad is generally good.

Shiraz holds a worldwide record for performing the most number of liver transplants. Abu Ali Sina organ transplantation center, located in Shiraz, is the largest hospital in the middle east with surgeons like Dr. Malek-Hosseini. This highly-equipped hospital is an excellent choice for people of different nationalities. 

Regulations

1. You should submit all the documents and medical evaluations needed.
2. A team of multi-disciplinary specialists will discuss your case to see if you are a candidate. Whether they conclude you could be a candidate or not, they will notify you in 7-10 working days.
3. The donor must either be the recipient's immediate family or extended family. In both cases, documents are needed for proof.
4. To receive the treatment, you should visit Iran with the donor accompanying you.
5. If you are an Iranian living in other countries, you should bring your Iranian ID card as well.

Kidney transplant tourism in Iran

At Alomedical, we are proud to be able to provide facilitation for clinics and hospitals to manage every aspect of your kidney transplant, from planning to post-surgical care. Compare clinics via Alomedical platform and rest assure by undergoing kidney transplant in Iran, you are under the right hands.

As for the cost of a kidney transplant, you can make sure undergoing the surgery in Iran is more than just affordable. It is important to note that the costs of kidney transplant should include the lifelong medications as well. Let's compare the cost of kidney transplant in several countries:

• US: $32000
• UK: $40000
• Turkey: $17000
• Iran: $14000 (including one-month worth of anti-rejection medications)

FAQ

Can kidney transplant patients drink beer?

Generally, alcohol consumption above 14 units a day increases blood pressure and can be dangerous for you after kidney transplant. 

Can kidney transplant patients travel?

You should be able to travel in 6-month time. But traveling to underdeveloped countries requires a consultation with your doctor regarding vaccination and avoiding water or certain foods.

Does kidney transplant last forever?

Rejection rates are not uncommon and many patients may experience recurring kidney failure in several years after the surgery. Try to follow medical instructions as much as you can to reduce risks.

Do kidney transplant patients need dialysis?

In some cases, the kidney doesn’t begin working immediately after the surgery and you might need dialysis until it does. Also, kidney failure can happen and as a result there are chances of needing dialysis even after kidney transplant.

Is kidney transplant successful?

It depends on many factor and varies among every individual. First and foremost, choose the right medical team and let them figure out the success rate of your case.

Is kidney transplant safe?

Let's not forget than kidney transplant is a major surgery with risks and complications of its own. Infection, rejection, transmitted cancer, etc.

Is kidney transplant painful?

Post-operatively, you may experience soreness or numbness around the incision area. 

Does kidney transplant affect fertility?

Fertility increases after kidney transplant in both male and female patients.