All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi has achieved a significant milestone by successfully performing its second dual kidney transplant using organs from a 70-year-old brain-dead donor. This procedure, utilizing kidneys from what is considered a marginal donor, highlights the institution’s commitment to expanding the deceased-donor organ pool and increasing access to kidney transplantation for patients suffering from end-stage renal disease.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the complex surgery was carried out on July 28 by a multidisciplinary team comprising specialists from the Department of Surgical Disciplines, Nephrology, Anaesthesia, Transplant Immunology, and the Organ Retrieval Banking Organisation (ORBO) at AIIMS, Delhi. The donor, an elderly woman from Command Hospital in Chandimandir, Chandigarh, was classified as a marginal donor due to her advanced age, a common characteristic for expanded criteria donors who may present higher medical risks.
Dr. Asuri Krishna, a professor in the Department of Surgery at AIIMS-Delhi, explained the strategic approach behind the transplant. “In view of the advanced age and marginal donor characteristics, both kidneys were utilised for transplantation in a single recipient as a carefully planned strategy to maximise the use of available donor organs,” Dr. Krishna stated. This approach aims to ensure that viable organs from donors who might otherwise be declined due to age or other marginal factors are utilized effectively.
The timely retrieval and transport of the organs were facilitated by a coordinated effort that included the use of an Army helicopter to transport the kidneys from Chandigarh to Delhi. This rapid transit was crucial given the extended cold ischaemia time, which refers to the preservation period of the donor organ to slow its metabolism before transplantation. Despite the approximately 12-hour cold ischaemia duration, both transplanted kidneys began functioning immediately after the procedure.
The recipient, a 56-year-old woman, underwent the implantation of both kidneys on the right side of her body. Following the surgery, she experienced an uneventful recovery. Doctors reported that she was discharged from the hospital after ten days, with her kidney function returning to normal levels. This successful outcome underscores the effectiveness of the dual kidney transplantation strategy for selected marginal donors.
The organ retrieval and transplantation process involved extensive coordination among various medical facilities and personnel. Key collaborators included the Army Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi. AIIMS Director Dr. Nikhil Tandon provided essential support and guidance for the procedure. Balram, a transplant coordinator at ORBO, played a pivotal role in managing the logistical aspects, including communication, organ retrieval, and transportation, ensuring a seamless operation.
The surgical team involved in the transplant was led by Dr. Krishna, alongside Dr. Sushant, Dr. Aditya Baksi, Dr. Brijesh Kumar Singh, and Dr. Mohit Sangade from the Department of Surgical Disciplines. The Department of Nephrology was instrumental in assessing the recipient, managing her perioperative care, and overseeing her post-transplant treatment, which is critical for long-term success.
Dual kidney transplantation from carefully selected marginal donors is recognized as a vital strategy to increase the utilization of deceased donor organs. In certain cases, transplanting both kidneys from a single donor into one recipient can provide sufficient renal function. This practice is particularly important when organs might otherwise be discarded due to donor age or other marginal criteria. This recent procedure at AIIMS-Delhi marks their second such dual kidney transplant from a marginal donor, reinforcing their efforts to broaden the donor pool and offer life-saving kidney transplants to a larger number of patients facing end-stage kidney disease.
Dr. Krishna further commented on the encouraging early outcomes, stating, “The immediate functioning of both kidneys despite around 12 hours of cold ischaemia and the recipient’s discharge with normal kidney function after 10 days marked an encouraging early outcome.” The successful management of the cold ischaemia period and the swift recovery of the recipient highlight the advancements in organ preservation techniques and surgical expertise at AIIMS, Delhi. The collaboration between civilian and military medical institutions was also a key factor in the successful execution of this complex procedure.
❤️ Support Independent Journalism
Your contribution keeps our reporting free, fearless, and accessible to everyone.
Or make a one-time donation
Secure via Razorpay • 12 monthly payments • Cancel anytime before next cycle
(We don't allow anyone to copy content. For Copyright or Use of Content related questions, visit here.)
The Chenab Times News Desk
