What You Need to Know About Kidney Transplantation: Procedure, Risks, and Recovery The kidneys filter waste products from the blood and regulate the body's fluid and mineral balance. In advanced kidney failure, these functions cannot be performed adequately. Kidney transplantation is a treatment that can improve quality of life and life expectancy in eligible patients as an alternative to dialysis. 1. Who Is Eligible for Kidney Transplantation? Kidney transplantation is generally considered for patients with end-stage kidney disease. - Severe loss of kidney function - Patients receiving dialysis treatment - Eligible patients expected to need dialysis in the near future - Individuals whose overall health allows them to undergo transplant surgery In some patients, kidney transplantation can be planned before dialysis begins. 2. How Is Kidney Transplantation Performed? During surgery, a healthy kidney obtained from the donor is usually placed in the recipient's lower abdomen. The new kidney's blood vessels and urinary tract are surgically connected. The patient's own kidneys are generally left in place unless there is a specific medical reason to remove them. 3. What Are the Types of Kidney Transplantation? Living-donor kidney transplantation: Performed using a kidney donated by a volunteer who meets the medical and legal requirements. Deceased-donor kidney transplantation: Performed within the framework of organ donation and the official organ allocation system. In both methods, donor and recipient eligibility are carefully evaluated. 4. What Tests Are Performed Before Kidney Transplantation? Before transplantation, the patient's overall health and organ compatibility are assessed. - Blood group and tissue compatibility tests - Crossmatch testing - Kidney function tests - Cardiovascular evaluation - Infection screening - Necessary imaging examinations These tests help ensure that transplantation is planned safely. 5. Recovery After Kidney Transplantation After transplantation, the patient's kidney function and overall health are closely monitored. In some patients, the new kidney begins functioning immediately, while in others it may take time to reach an adequate level of function. Hospital stay and recovery time vary from person to person. 6. Medication After Kidney Transplantation Immunosuppressive medications are used to prevent the immune system from rejecting the transplanted kidney. Taking these medications regularly and never stopping them without medical advice is essential. Blood tests and specialist follow-up continue over the long term after transplantation. 7. What Are the Risks of Kidney Transplantation? Like any major surgical procedure, kidney transplantation carries certain risks: - Organ rejection - Infection - Bleeding and vascular complications - Problems involving urinary tract connections - Delayed function of the transplanted kidney - Side effects of immunosuppressive medications Risks may vary depending on the patient's health and transplant conditions. 8. Kidney Transplantation in Türkiye In Türkiye, kidney transplantation is performed at organ transplant centers authorized by the Ministry of Health. For living-donor transplantation, the donor's voluntary consent, medical eligibility, and applicable legal requirements are assessed. Relevant regulations and donor requirements also apply to patients coming from abroad. Access to organs from deceased donors is subject to specific legal regulations. 9. How to Choose a Hospital for Kidney Transplantation The following criteria are important when choosing a transplant center: - Official authorization to perform kidney transplantation - Experience of transplant surgeons and the nephrology team - Tissue compatibility testing and laboratory infrastructure - Management of infections and organ rejection - Long-term follow-up services after transplantation - Safety of living-donor evaluation 10. Request a Preliminary Evaluation From Kidney Transplant Centers in Türkiye You can share your existing medical reports and request a preliminary evaluation from authorized kidney transplant centers. You can compare patient admission requirements, donor evaluation procedures, treatment coverage, and potential costs. The final transplantation decision is made after medical eligibility has been established and legal requirements have been fulfilled. Conclusion Kidney transplantation is an important treatment that can offer eligible patients with advanced kidney failure the opportunity to live more independently. Research authorized kidney transplant centers in Türkiye, learn about transplantation requirements, and request preliminary evaluations from specialist teams.