Kidneys are responsible for filtration of waste products from the blood. Kidneys may fail to work due to various problems like heavy blood loss, an injury, an infection, dehydration, medicines or poisons etc.
It is the second most commonly occurring cancer in the world.
Symptoms of Kidney Failure
Initially kidney failure may cause no symptoms but later it may cause following symptoms:
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Nausea and vomiting
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Whole body itching
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Weakness
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Shortness of breath
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Lethargy
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Confusion
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Abnormal heart rhythms
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Swelling in the hands, feet, abdomen, or face
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Sudden death
Diagnosis of Kidney Failure
Following blood and urine tests can help uncover kidney disease:
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Blood electrolytes
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Urine protein or albumin
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Blood test for BUN, creatinine, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
Laparoscopic Donor Nephrectomy for Kidney Failure
The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia with surgeon making 3-4 tiny incisions in the abdomen and side. One of the incisions is used to insert a port (nozzle) that fills the carbon dioxide gas into the abdomen to inflate it. Now laparoscope is inserted through another incision. A laparoscope is a telescope lookalike with a light and camera on the end. It allows the surgeon to clearly view inside of the abdomen on the monitor outside. Now using surgical instruments, kidney is extracted intact inside a plastic bag by enlarging one of the small incisions of the side. The extracted kidney is given immediately to the transplant surgeons, so that they can implant the kidney into the recipient. After the completion of procedure, the carbon dioxide is released out of the abdomen and incisions are closed with sutures or staples, or covered with glue-like bandage.
Advantages of Laparoscopic Donor Nephrectomy for Kidney Failure
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Less pain
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Shorter operative time
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Better cosmetic result
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Shorter hospital stay
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Lower requirement for intravenous narcotics
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Faster recovery
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Negligible risks and complications
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Less chances of wound infection
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High success rate
