When a person undergoes a complex surgery such as an organ transplant, they do so with fear, but also with hope of a definitive recovery.
Today, kidney transplants are considered a routine surgery, but the Kidney Foundation of Ontario, says there’s always risk, and the procedure must be exercised with strict caution.
In addition to the event of kidney failure, there is another problem: the causes. For example, this may include diabetes or Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), where the kidney goes into failure again, and the patient must undergo another transplant.
Mauro Burri has had a transplant three times in his life. His parents and family had to witness the inevitable transplants since he was a child.
As well, there are many causes for the recurrence of acute renal failure, according to Edward Cole, nephrologist and professor at University of Toronto.
“It is also for these reasons that there are thousands of Canadian families in a situation similar to Mr. Burri’s. In Ontario, for example, there are over 12,000 patients who have to undergo dialysis three times a week,” Cole says.
Dialysis has a very strong impact on the lives of patients and their families.
However, the quality and life expectancy definitely improve after a transplant, Professor Cole emphasizes.
In addition to the cost, there are also risks connected to the dialysis procedure to be taken into consideration.
Unfortunately, kidney transplants do not last forever. According to experts, expectancy is 20-25 years for a live donor transplant, and 10-15 years if the organ is taken from a deceased person.
