Kidney Transplant

Kidney Transplant In Iran

Kidney Transplantation Abroad

Best hospital for kidney transplant surgery in Iran

Kidney transplant operation is crucially sensitive, both legally and medically. Therefore, only a handful of specialized government hospitals are approved for this surgery. 

We have experience working with some of the finest hospitals for this surgery, providing world-class medical care, in the shortest possible time.

Kidney transplant cost in Iran

Despite its competent medical professionals, the cost of kidney transplant surgery in Iran is among the lowest in the world.

The cost of surgery, pre-surgery preparations, post-surgery checkups, and medications are much lower compared to most countries.

Best kidney transplant surgeon in Iran

With an annual kidney transplant rate of more than 2500 per year, Iran has very experienced, competent kidney transplant surgeons.

Kidney transplant engages an extended medical team, consisting of doctors in a range of specialties, to achieve a safe surgery with optimal results. This will ensure optimal life expectancy.

Why should you travel to Iran for a kidney transplant?

Many patients travel to Iran for a kidney transplant. One of the reasons for this matter is Iranian specialists and surgeons who have high surgery success rates.

• Low cost of kidney transplant in Iran
• Low cost of accommodation in Iran
• Well experienced doctors
• The high number of kidney transplants in Iran

kidney transplant centers accordant with today's European standards are performing the highest quality operations in Iran. Another reason for kidney transplants in Iran is its lower cost compared to other countries.

Duration of Kidney transplant process in Iran

As kidney transplant surgery is a sensitive operation, it takes a long time to get the necessary approvals to perform the operation. however, in Iran, the entire process, including pre-surgery checkups and medical and legal approval will take 3-5 weeks. that is if neither the donor nor the patient is found to have any underlying conditions. in this sense, the process in Iran is much quicker compared to most countries

About Kidney Transplant

Before Kidney Transplant

Reparations in your own country (finding a matching donor):

For kidney transplant in Iran, the donor and the recipient must have the same nationality.

Cases where the donor and the recipient have different nationalities, will not be approved by legal authorities in Iran, as this would amount to organ trafficking.

First, you need to find a person who is a close match for you and can donate their kidney to you. While reviewing candidates, you will need the following tests to check if their kidney is a match:

• Blood Type Test:

You can receive a kidney from a donor, only if their blood type matches yours.  

• Tissue Typing (HLA):

If your blood types match, the next step is a tissue typing match called human leukocyte antigens (HLA). This test compares genetic markers which prolong the likely lifetime of the transplanted kidney. A good match means your body is less likely to reject the kidney. 

• Crossmatch:

The last match includes mixing a small sample of your blood with the donor’s blood in the lab. This test will determine whether your blood’s antibodies will react against certain antibodies in the donor’s blood. 

a negative match will mean that they are compatible and that your body will probably not reject the donor’s kidney. positive kidney matches can also be transplanted; however, you will need extra medical treatment before and after the transplant to reduce the risk of your antibodies reacting to the donated organ.

Preparations for surgery in Iran

Dialysis:

During your preparation for kidney transplant surgery in Iran, you will still need dialysis, as per your previous schedule. In Iran, Friday is the weekend and dialysis is only available for emergency situations. Therefore, you will need to seek advice to schedule your dialysis before finalizing your trip.

In order to perform dialysis, the hospital will require a negative Hepatitis and HIV test result. You can get this in your own country.

Medical approval:

Before a kidney transplant in Iran, the recipient and the donor must have a full physical checkup, which includes blood tests and body scans. The necessary tests must be taken in Iran. so, even if you have taken them in your country before, they must be repeated in Iran.

The process for getting pre-surgery medical approval includes:

• dental checkup
• Cardio checkup
• ENT checkup
• Gastroenterology checkup
• endoscopy
• a full kidney blood panel
• renal CT angiography
• final nephrology approval

The medical approval process optimally takes 12 to 14 working days to be finished. 

If any problems are found during any of the checkups, the duration will be extended to treat those problems.

Upon completion of the medical approval process, the hospital will issue a letter to the legal authorities, requesting permission for the kidney transplant operation.

Legal approval:

You will need to receive the necessary permits from relevant government bodies in Iran. 

During this process, the donor and the recipient must have their identity and nationality authenticated by the embassy of their country of origin in Iran.

The authentication of identity taken from the embassy, along with the letter from the hospital, will be submitted to the ministry of health to get final approval.

The legal approval process optimally takes between 7 to 10 working days. 

Admission to the hospital:

Both patients will be admitted to the hospital, one night prior to the transplant surgery.

During Kidney Transplant

The donor and the recipient will be transferred to the operation room. two specialized surgeons will simultaneously perform the nephrectomy (removing donor’s kidney) and the transplant. The surgery usually takes 4-5 hours. During surgery, the donated kidney will be transplanted below the recipient’s own kidneys. Unless causing problems, the recipient’s kidneys will remain in place.

Recovery

The donor can be discharged within 2-3 days after the operation.

The recipient will be transferred to an isolated room, to prevent infections. The recipient will be supervised for at least 7-14 days. During this time, the recipient will be isolated and supervised by the transplant ward. During this time, kidney function will be monitored through blood tests (creatinine, urea, potassium, etc.) and monitoring liquid intake and urine output. Based on this, the doctor may choose to keep the recipient for extended supervision or even discharge earlier.

Post-kidney transplant medicine:

After the transplant, the recipient’s body will detect the new kidney as an external object, thus commanding the immune system to destroy it. To prevent this, your nephrologist will prescribe your immunosuppressants. These are drugs that will reduce your immune system’s function. immunosuppressants will prevent the kidney from being rejected and destroyed by the immune system. the recipient will be on a lifetime regimen of immunosuppressants. Your doctor will prescribe regular blood tests to review how your body responds to these medicines and adjust your medicine doses. Due to the use of immunosuppressants, transplant patients will have a reduced immune system, thereby having more difficulty fighting off infections, compared to other people.

For kidney transplant patients, post-surgery care is vital. While mistakes can shorten your kidney life expectancy, or even cause sudden renal failures, taking good care of yourself can help you to reach several decades of good quality life with your new kidney. If you want to know more about how to take care of your new kidney, read our article, 

post-surgery care for kidney transplant patients.

FAQ

Is dialysis better than a kidney transplant?
obviously, it’s much better if you can have a kidney transplant, as you won’t have to go through dialysis several times a week.

How do I find a suitable donor?
You can search in your country and the internet for a kidney donor who is biologically eligible (hyperlink) to donate his kidney to you.

What is the life expectancy of a transplanted kidney?
It may vary depending on the age of the donor and patient, as well as many other factors. On average, a kidney received from a living donor can last for 20-25 years, while a kidney received from a deceased donor can last 15-20 years. To ensure a longer life, Post-transplant care (hyperlink to the text above, and later the article) is very important. In some cases, a transplanted kidney has worked up to 40 years.

Can I receive a kidney from a donor with underlying diseases such as diabetes?
Although diabetes will affect the kidneys if the tests point to suitable conditions, and with a doctor’s approval, you can receive a kidney from a diabetic person as well and there will be no problems.

Can I receive a kidney from a younger or older donor?
Yes, after taking the necessary tests, you can receive a kidney from someone who is younger or older than you. the optimal donor age is 18-60 years old.

Why is Iran suitable for kidney transplant?
The low cost of travel and the cost of living in Iran, along with the high standard of hospital hygiene, has created a good opportunity in Iran. While this process can take several months in most other countries, in optimal conditions, the whole process of a kidney transplant will take less than 3 weeks in Iran, including all medical and legal approvals.

What condition determines kidney transplant success rate?
transplant success rate depends on initial pre-surgery conditions and the quality of the surgery. Also, intensive care after a kidney transplant increases the success rate.

When will I know if the surgery has been successful?
you will be at the hospital for about 7-14 days for observation after the surgery. During this time, kidney function will be studied through regular blood tests and urinalysis. Kidney transplant patients are particularly vulnerable. Simple infections can become very serious and mistakes with your medicine usage can have serious consequences including renal failure. post kidney transplant surgery care

How long after kidney transplant surgery can I go back to work?
you can go back to work in about 4 months, however, special medical situations may vary.

Can I go back to my previous job after kidney transplant surgery?
physically intense labor (including lifting heavy objects) and working in polluted environments are prohibited for kidney transplant patients.

Can I go back to sports after kidney transplant surgery?
your new kidney will be transplanted below the ribcage. As a result, it will be very vulnerable to impact. So you are advised to discontinue any activity where your kidney could receive external impact, like a ball hitting you, or having an accident where the wheel will hit your kidney. activities you can’t continue after kidney transplant surgery: driving, basketball, football, soccer, volleyball, martial arts, … activities you can continue after kidney transplant surgery: solo activities, such as walking, running, swimming, yoga, aerobics, etc…

What disqualifies me from a kidney transplant?
old age severe heart problems active or recently cured cancer dementia or uncontrolled mental diseases alcohol or drugs abuse any other issue affecting the safety of the procedure and post-transplant medicines, and increased likelihood of rejection