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Kidney Transplant

The Kidneys

The kidneys are a pair of vital organs that perform many functions to keep the blood clean and chemically balanced. Every day, your kidneys process almost 190 liters of blood to filter out about 2 liters of waste products and extra water. The kidneys then process the filtered waste by-products into urine.

End-stage renal disease (ESRD)

Every year, over 12,000 Filipinos develop End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). ESRD occurs when the kidneys are no longer able to function at a level needed for day-to-day life. It usually happens when chronic kidney disease (CKD) has worsened to the point where kidney function is less than 10% of normal. The most common causes of CKD are uncontrolled hypertension and diabetes.

Kidney Transplant–Best Treatment Option for ESRD

Often, the best treatment option for ESRD is a kidney transplant where a patient (recipient) receives a healthy kidney from a donor. Kidneys for transplantation can come from either a deceased or living donor.

Benefits of Kidney Transplant

A successful kidney transplant has many benefits. These include:

  1. Freedom from long-term renal therapy
  2. Increased energy
  3. Fewer, if any, diet and fluid restrictions
  4. Better quality of life
  5. Return or having a close to normal lifestyle
  6. Ability to return to work and lead a full life

Why Go to the Perpetual Help Medical Center – Las Piñas (PHMC-LP) Kidney Transplant Unit (KTU)?

The Perpetual Help Medical Center – Las Piñas (PHMC-LP) Kidney Transplant Unit (KTU) provides the best possible care to kidney transplant patients and their family. Our mission is to make the entire kidney transplant process easier and less stressful for the patient.

The KTU has a multidisciplinary team of medical and surgical specialists who utilize state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic equipment. The KTU Team is highly trained to provide the following services:

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Kidney Transplant

Comprehensive care for kidney transplant and nephrectomy patients focuses on supporting recovery, preventing complications, and promoting long-term health. Kidney transplant recipients require lifelong immunosuppressant therapy to prevent organ rejection, along with regular monitoring to detect early signs of infection or organ dysfunction. Nephrectomy patients receive targeted post-operative care emphasizing wound management, pain control, and progressive rehabilitation to restore mobility and strength. In both cases, a multidisciplinary team provides personalized follow-up, patient education, and lifestyle guidance to ensure optimal outcomes and quality of life.

Pre-Operative Preparation

Actual Kidney Transplant and Nephrectomy Surgical Procedure

  • Open Nephrectomy
  • Laparoscopic Nephrectomy

Kidney Transplant Recipient and Donors Follow-up Program

Our pre-kidney transplant program ensures patients are fully prepared for a safe and successful procedure. Services include thorough medical evaluations, diagnostic testing, and specialist consultations to assess eligibility and optimize health. Education and counseling are provided to guide patients through the process and support emotional well-being.

We also coordinate donor matching and preparation, identifying compatible living or deceased donors through blood and tissue testing. Both donor and recipient receive pre-operative guidance on nutrition, medication, and infection prevention—helping ensure the best possible outcome for surgery and recovery.

Our program equips patients and their families with the knowledge and confidence to navigate the kidney transplant journey. Through counseling, learning materials, and guided discussions, we cover medication management, signs of rejection or infection, lifestyle changes, and the importance of follow-up care. By involving families in the process, we promote teamwork and long-term success.

The eligibility assessment ensures patients are medically and emotionally prepared for a kidney transplant. It includes a thorough review of medical history, physical examinations, laboratory tests, and imaging studies. Specialists assess organ function, overall health, and potential surgical risks. Psychological evaluation and lifestyle review are also conducted to ensure readiness for the demands of post-transplant care. This comprehensive process helps determine the safest and most effective treatment path for each patient.

A successful kidney transplant begins with thorough assessment of both recipient and donor. For recipients, this includes medical history review, physical exams, lab tests, imaging, and specialist consultations to confirm suitability for surgery. Donors—living or deceased—undergo compatibility testing, organ function assessment, and medical and psychological evaluations to ensure safety and match quality. This careful process safeguards the health of both parties and supports the best possible transplant outcomes.

Donor nephrectomy is the surgical removal of a healthy kidney from a living donor for transplantation. The procedure may be performed through traditional open surgery or minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques. Donors undergo thorough medical and psychological evaluations before surgery to ensure safety. Post-operative care focuses on pain management, wound healing, and gradual return to normal activities. With proper care, most donors can lead healthy, active lives with one kidney.

Kidney transplant surgery involves placing a healthy donor kidney into a recipient whose kidneys can no longer function effectively. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia, with the donor kidney connected to the recipient’s blood vessels and bladder to restore normal filtration and waste removal. Surgery typically lasts several hours, followed by close monitoring in the hospital. With proper care and lifelong medication to prevent rejection, most patients can enjoy improved health and quality of life after the transplant.

 

Post-kidney transplant follow-up care focuses on protecting the new kidney, preventing complications, and supporting long-term health. Patients require lifelong immunosuppressant medication to prevent organ rejection, along with regular blood tests and follow-up visits to monitor kidney function. Education on infection prevention, healthy lifestyle habits, and recognizing early signs of rejection is essential. With consistent medical care and healthy living, transplant recipients can maintain their kidney function and enjoy an improved quality of life for many years.

An ultrasound-guided percutaneous kidney biopsy is a minimally invasive procedure used to obtain small samples of kidney tissue for diagnosis. Guided by real-time ultrasound imaging, a thin needle is inserted through the skin into the kidney to collect tissue. This helps doctors evaluate kidney disease, monitor transplant health, or guide treatment decisions. The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia, with patients observed afterward to ensure safety. Most can return to normal activities within a short period, following medical advice.

The Deceased Organ Donor Program facilitates the donation of healthy kidneys from individuals who have passed away, offering life-saving transplants to patients with end-stage kidney disease. Organs are allocated based on medical urgency, compatibility, and fairness, following strict ethical and legal guidelines. The program works closely with organ procurement organizations, transplant teams, and donor families to ensure respectful handling and timely transplantation. Through the generosity of donors and their loved ones, this program provides hope, extends lives, and improves quality of life for many patients.