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Kidney Transplant

Surgery

Post Transplant Surgery

The femoral catheter that had been used for one dialysis treatment prior to the surgery had been left in place in case it might be needed after surgery. Fortunately, it was never needed and was shortly removed. In fact, the kidney worked so well that the chart in ICU noted that the kidney was making "copious amounts of urine." Surgeons want good perfusion of new transplants; thus patients receive intravenous hydration in intensive care with intake and output carefully measured after surgery. During the first 24 hours, workers recorded an intake of 19,768 cc of fluid and an output of 13,410 cc, more than three gallons of urine! Blood pressures ranged from 125-140 systolic and from 75-80 diastolic.

On day 2 Sam was taken to Nuclear Medicine for a scan. Results showed good perfusion and function of the kidney. He was doing well and was transferred to the medicine floor. His recovery and course were uneventful. He was walking and feeling well on May 25, two days after surgery. His intake and output had dropped to a more reasonable level of 5700cc and 3200cc.

During the remainder of the hospitalization, nurses provided detailed instruction on medications and post-operative care. His instructions were:

• Keep the incision clean and dry.
• Staples would be removed in 3 weeks
• Avoid lifting over 5 pounds.
• Could resume driving and sexual activity in 2 to 4 weeks or when pain free.
• He was now put on a low cholesterol, high phosphorus diet.

Video of a patient's recovery from a kidney transplant.

Many post-transplant diets are low in sodium if BP is elevated and are low in fat if weight gain occurs from meds.