Goa: Covid survivor gets kidney transplant

PANAJI: A Covid-19 survivor, who recently underwent a kidney transplant through laparoscopic nephrectomy, has resumed his job in the railways.
The transplant was performed at Manipal Hospitals, Dona Paula, after the patient was diagnosed with diabetic kidney disease. Nephrologist Amol Mahaldar said that while the patient’s wife had consented to donate one of her kidneys, the transplant had to be deferred after the patient contracted Covid-19. He was managed with dialysis and constant monitoring while in home isolation. “We could perform the laparoscopic procedure only after he had recovered from Covid-19. The recipient went home 10 days after the surgery and has completed five months. He has even received vaccination against Covid-19 and has resumed work at the Konkan Railway Corporation,” Mahaldar said.
International experts say laparoscopic nephrectomy donors require significantly shorter hospitalisation, experience less pain and are able to return to their normal routines sooner. They require lesser assistance during recuperation as against those who undergo open nephrectomy.
Dr Deepak Dubey, chairperson of urology services across the Manipal Group, said Goan patients suffering from end-stage renal disease can avail of state-of-the-art facilities for renal transplants. “Laparoscopic harvesting of kidneys will save the donor from much pain and discomfort compared to the open operation. As it is, they are doing a noble act of donating their organ to a loved one. The process should therefore be conducted least painfully,” Dubey said.
The surgical team comprised urologist Dr Madhav Sanzgiri, laparoscopic surgeon Dr Jagannath Kulkarni and cardiovascular surgeon Dr Rakesh Deshmane. Transplant anesthesia was managed by Dr Divya Mahaldar, Dr Savita Sanzgiri and Dr Yogesh Gawde along with Dr Dalia Bhandare.