World Kidney Day 2023
March 9, 2023, marks the 18th anniversary of World Kidney Day. This year’s theme is “Kidney Health for All – Responding to Unexpected Risks and Caring for the Vulnerable.”
Organ transplantation was once considered something out of science fiction and fairy tales. However, with advances in modern medicine, including improved surgical techniques and the development of immunosuppressants, this once-distant fantasy has now become a reality. As one of the most successful advancements in modern medicine, organ transplantation has become an effective treatment for end-stage organ failure. Among all organ transplants, kidney transplantation is the earliest, the most commonly performed, and the most well-established procedure. What do you know about kidney transplantation?
Key Facts About Kidney Transplantation
1. What is a Kidney Transplant?
Kidney transplantation, commonly referred to as ‘kidney replacement therapy,’ is a surgical procedure in which a healthy kidney is transplanted into a patient with uremia to restore kidney function. Like hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, it is a renal replacement therapy for patients with uremia and is considered the preferred treatment option.
2.When is the Right Time for a Kidney Transplant?
For most patients with uremia, preemptive kidney transplantation (without prior dialysis) is now recognized as the preferred approach. If a suitable donor is not immediately available, dialysis remains an option for renal replacement therapy. As for the choice of peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis, it is necessary to consider the individual wishes of patients, the effectiveness and convenience of treatment, complications, socioeconomic factors, dialysis center factors and so on. In conclusion, for patients who are on dialysis or are about to start dialysis and have no contraindications for kidney transplantation, the earlier the kidney transplant, the better, because the longer the duration of dialysis, the lower the long-term survival of the transplanted kidney.
3. Kidney Transplantation is Not an Impulsive Decision
For patients considering kidney transplantation, a significant amount of preparation is required. A comprehensive preoperative evaluation and screening for contraindications must be completed before the transplant can take place.
4. Surgery is Only the First Step in a Long Journey
With advances in medical care, improved organ preservation techniques, and powerful immunosuppressive drugs, the success rate of kidney transplantation has increased significantly. However, long-term graft survival depends on multiple factors, including adjustment of immunosuppressive regimens, prevention and management of cardiovascular complications, rejection, and infections.
Therefore, the success of kidney transplantation is only the first step of the Long March. Long-term follow-up, patient self-management and close cooperation between doctors and patients are the keys to ensure the long-term survival of kidney transplantation.
5. Pediatric Kidney Transplantation Requires More Attention
Children with uremia have better outcomes with kidney transplantation than with dialysis. However, due to limited awareness and social understanding, pediatric kidney transplantation remains underutilized.
6. Organ Donation: Giving the Gift of Life
Despite over 50 years of development, kidney transplantation in our country still faces major challenges, with the biggest bottleneck being the shortage of donor kidneys. Each year, around 300,000 patients require organ transplants, but only about 10,000 receive one.
Organ donation is a noble act that saves lives and allows donors to live on in another form.
(Excerpt from “8 Things You Need to Know About Kidney Transplants,” Popular Medicine, November 2022.)
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About the author
Zhu Tongyu, vice president of Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Director of Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, director of Shanghai Kidney Transplantation Quality Control Center, Professor of Urology, Professor, Sun Yat-sen Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China, the 13th The National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Shanghai Outstanding Academic Leader, Shanghai Leading Talents, former director of the organ transplantation branch of Shanghai Medical Association, member of organ transplant doctors branch of Chinese Medical Association, Vice Chairman of Kidney Transplant Group.
