DOHA: Kidney donors can now leave Hamad Medical Corporation in 24 hours with the use of laparoscopic surgery to remove kidneys. Recently, the kidney transplant team at HMC conducted the country's first minimally invasive surgery on a kidney donor, followed by a successful renal transplant on a Moroccan expatriate woman.
"The donor underwent a laparoscopic operation, where two incisions were made -- one a two centimetre incision to insert the endoscope and the second a 5cm incision to take out the kidney," said Dr Riadh Fadhil, Consultant Kidney and Urology Surgeon, HMC. "As laparoscopy was done, the donor could be safely discharged the following day. However, the patient who underwent operation had a 15cm incision to transplant the kidney."
Traditionally, the kidney removal procedure is done through a single incision of 10cm to 18cm, but with laparoscopy, two small incisions are needed. This helps to reduce pain and accelerates the recovery of the donor.
Worldwide, an increase in the use of laparoscopic surgery has led to an increase in the number of live donors. This is because any advancement which leads to a decrease in pain and scarring and swifter recovery has the potential to boost donor numbers.
The surgical team at HMC was led by Dr Yousef Al Maslamani, Chief of Medical Staff at Hamad General Hospital (HGH) and Head of Kidney Transplant Section, with Dr Fadhil, and Dr Omar Isam, Specialist Urologist and Kidney Transplant Surgeon.
"I have been taking medicines to protect my ill kidneys all my life, and was living with just half a kidney for the last 15 years. I had a renal failure and doctors here gave me a choice between renal dialysis and kidney transplant. My sister voluntarily donated her kidney to me and now my condition is stable," the patient said.
The donor said that she experienced outstanding healthcare services and a good treatment at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), and she was discharged from hospital the following day in good health.
Transplant patients are cautioned against excess intake of salts, sugars or fats, as these may cause hypertension or elevate the level of blood sugar or blood cholesterol. They are also encouraged to take two to three litres of water daily, walk regularly and to avoid crowded places which can cause infection and other health complications.
It is worth noting that, a total of 638 kidney receivers (424 men and 214 women) are currently under follow-up at OPD. This year, six kidney transplants have been so far conducted at HMC, with 61 patients on the waiting list and 41 patients in the preparatory stage for transplant. With laparoscopy, Qatar too can expect increase in donors in keeping with the global trend.
© The Peninsula 2010
