Kidney Transplants: Safety, Risks, and the Reality

Strategic Insights -

The recent news of actor Satish Shah's kidney transplant has sparked a discussion on the safety of kidney transplants for patients with kidney disease. Dr Debabrata Mukherjee, senior director of nephrology at Medanta, Gurugram, weighs in on the risks and realities of kidney transplants. According to Dr Mukherjee, a transplant, done at a good centre with experienced hands, has a success rate of about 98%. He shares the stories of two transplantees who met in his OPD, got married, and now have a healthy child. Both were in their early 30s and had chronic nephritis, a condition common in the under 40-group.

Key Takeaways:

  • A kidney transplant has a success rate of about 98% when done at a good centre with experienced hands.
  • Patients should not have any comorbidity or a pre-existing condition for a transplant to be safe.
  • Obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension can impact the kidneys, liver, and heart, making a transplant risky.
  • Post-operative patients may get blood clots, which can block blood supply to organs, leading to strokes or death.
  • High-dose steroids used to prevent rejection can cause irregular heartbeats and electrical dysfunction of the heart.
  • Immunosuppressants have side effects like loss of hair and abrupt growth of facial hair, making it essential for patients to be disciplined about follow-ups.
  • Kidney recipients should avoid cut fruits or vegetable salads, instead opting for peeled fruits, steamed, or cooked vegetables.
  • Exercise should be cautious for the first six months post-transplant, but recipients can be as active as anyone else after that.

Statistics:

  • 10,000 kidney transplants occur annually in India.
  • 1 lakh new dialysis cases happen every year, with almost 1 lakh road accidents and brain deaths occurring each year, offering ample opportunities for organ donation.
  • 98% success rate of kidney transplants when done at a good centre with experienced hands.

Sources:

  • The Indian Express (P) Ltd, (Copyright 2025 IE Online Media Services Pvt. Ltd., distributed by Contify.com)