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Kidney Transplant

Surgery

Problems and Progress After Surgery

Sam was off work for 12 weeks while he recovered from surgery and had close monitoring of his renal function. Initially he traveled weekly to the transplant facility for outpatient clinic appointments with the transplant physician.

The purpose of very close follow-up and frequent blood tests in the first few weeks after renal transplant is to detect possible rejection of the kidney. This could be evidenced by rising creatinine and BUN, fever, decreased urine output, swelling, and tenderness over the abdominal site of the transplanted kidney. Other problems can sometimes arise as well which careful monitoring can detect and treat quickly.

Self-monitoring includes:

• taking medications,
• recording blood pressure, weight, and urine output,
• keeping clinic appointments, and
• calling the transplant center in case of problems.

Sam's case demonstrates the value of careful monitoring. By June 17 his blood tests showed increasing creatinine and BUN. He was admitted to the hospital. In the past few days he had noticed changes in how he felt including nausea, rapid swelling in his legs, weight gain of 14 pounds, decreased urine output and hand shakiness.

Describe the follow-up care during the first transplant year