Renal Transplantation: Comprehensive Care for Donor and Recipient Surgeries

Renal transplantation is widely considered the gold standard for treating End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and chronic kidney failure. Under the leadership of Dr. Sreeharsha Harinatha, Director and Lead Consultant in Robotic Surgery and Renal Transplantation, our program in Bengaluru offers a “fresh lease on life” through world-class surgical precision and compassionate care.

With over 250 successful kidney transplants and a specialized focus on Robotic-Assisted Kidney Transplantation (RAKT), Dr. Sreeharsha provides patients with advanced surgical options that prioritize safety, rapid recovery, and long-term graft success.

1. The Recipient Journey: Restoring Health and Vitality

For patients suffering from kidney failure, a transplant is more than a medical procedure; it is a path to freedom from the constraints of dialysis.

Types of Recipient Surgeries

• Preemptive Transplant: Performed before the patient ever needs to start dialysis. This often leads to the best long-term outcomes and higher graft survival rates.
• Living Donor Transplant: Receiving a kidney from a healthy family member or spouse. These kidneys typically function better and last longer (15–20 years on average) than deceased donor kidneys.
• Deceased (Cadaver) Donor Transplant: For patients on the national waiting list, receiving a kidney from a deceased organ donor.
• ABO Incompatible Transplants: Advanced protocols that allow transplantation even when the donor and recipient do not have matching blood types.

2. Living Donor Care: The Ultimate Gift

Being a kidney donor is a profound act of altruism. Our surgical team ensures the donor’s safety is the highest priority.

Laparoscopic & Robotic Donor Nephrectomy

Dr. Sreeharsha utilizes Minimally Invasive Donor Nephrectomy, often using the Da Vinci Xi Robotic system. Unlike traditional open surgery, this approach requires only 3–4 tiny incisions.

• Benefits for the Donor: Significant reduction in post-operative pain, a hospital stay as short as 24–48 hours, and a faster return to work—usually within 2 weeks.
• Precision: Robotic instruments allow for meticulous dissection of the renal vessels, ensuring the “gift of life” is delivered in the best possible condition for the recipient.

3. The Robotic Edge in Transplantation (RAKT)

As an official Proctor for Intuitive Surgicals, Dr. Sreeharsha Harinatha is a pioneer in Robot-Assisted Kidney Transplantation (RAKT). This technique is particularly beneficial for complex cases or patients with a higher BMI.

4. Comprehensive Transplant Evaluation

Success starts long before the operating room. Our multi-disciplinary evaluation includes:

• Immunological Matching: High-resolution HLA typing and Crossmatch tests to minimize rejection.
• Cardiovascular Screening: Ensuring the heart is strong enough for the procedure.
• Psychosocial Support: Counseling for both donor and recipient to navigate the emotional journey.

Financial & Legal Guidance: Full support in complying with the Transplantation of Human Organs Act (THOA) regulations.