Doctors at Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi - A Fortis Network Hospital performed a lifesaving kidney transplant on a 67-year-old man who was suffering from End-Stage Renal Disease ESRD, in which survival is only possible through dialysis or transplant.
His wife aged 62 years was the donor and she donated her kidney to save his life. Kidney Transplants are a challenge to perform on patients above the age of 60 years. Dr Atul Ingale, Consultant-Nephrologist & Transplant Physician, Director- Dept. of Nephrology, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi performed this transplant alongside his team.
Apart from the complexities of age, the couple also suffered from a series of co-morbidities. The recipient had undergone Angioplasty a year back during the COVID-19 pandemic and had also contracted the coronavirus infection in January 2022. His wife, the donor, had also undergone Angioplasty almost nine months back. They also had the added responsibility of taking care of the recipient’s 90-year-old mother at home, which increased their emotional and mental turmoil.
The couple was in two minds about the transplant surgery because of the immense physical and emotional complications at hand. However, after consultation with Ingale, they decided to go ahead with it. It was the couple’s belief in each other that helped the wife to come forward to donate her Kidney and strengthened her husband’s will to undergo this complex transplant.
"This transplant is unique as both the donor and the recipient suffered from various co-morbidities, including a heart condition. The patient has been under my care for about 20 years; it was my recommendation that his wife would be an ideal donor. The patient will not require Dialysis post-surgery and the line of treatment will include post-operative medicines and injections. This has added 10-13yrs to his life expectancy. Once discharged and fully recovered, he can live a normal life,” informed Ingale.
He added, “As per Kidney Transplant protocols if a donor-recipient match is found within the family, it is best to encourage this donation to save the life of the patient. This transplant would not have been possible without the support of the wife who did not hesitate and was able to understand the complexities and requirements of the surgery. We must highlight such cases so the waiting time to find a suitable donor is reduced and the financial burden on the family is significantly lesser.”
The patient was emotional while sharing his story with a big smile and moist eyes, Sudhir Kulkarni said, "I was very apprehensive about my wife giving one of her Kidneys to me. I believed it could be determinantal to her health; I was also worried that there would be no one to look after her if she fell ill. The transplant was a success, and I will be able to lead a normal life, all thanks to my life partner. This could not have been possible without the help of the doctors who saved my life”.
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