Two Surgeries, One Procedure.
Innovative approach speeds recovery for rare kidney disease.
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD)
- PKD is a disorder that causes numerous cysts in the kidneys.
- Kidneys become enlarged and may cause pain.
- Many patients with PKD will develop kidney failure.
- Complications include high blood pressure, hernias, and aneurysms
A genetic disease often detected years later.
- If one parent has PKD, each child has a 50% chance of getting the disease.
- Signs and symptoms often develop between the ages of 30 and 40, by which time many people have children.
A matter of timing.
While early stage treatment for complications includes blood pressure medication or pain management, some patients may eventually need surgery.
Many PKD patients will need two surgeries.
- Kidney Transplant: Patients will need a new, working kidney.
- Nephrectomy: The formal name for removing a kidney. Enlarged kidneys may need to be removed to relieve pain or prevent recurring infections.
Traditionally, the surgeries were conducted separately, with months of recovery time in between.
- Most often the new kidney was transplanted first.
- In others, the old kidneys were removed first and the patient went on dialysis while awaiting the transplant.
Mayo Clinic can conduct both surgeries in one procedure. A minimally invasive technique is used to laparoscopically remove the diseased kidneys, and then a minor extension is made to the incision in order to place the transplanted kidney.
- Patients don't need to endure the enlarged kidneys while awaiting removal.
- No need for dialysis between surgeries.
- Addresses both problems in one surgery.
- Overall faster recovery time and return to normal life.
Living donors improve odds even more.
Experience has shown that patients who receive a living donor kidney transplant enjoy better kidney function and longer, higher quality of life.
In a living kidney transplant:
- Matching donor is identified.
- Surgery can be scheduled and planned.
- Donor and recipient each end up with one functioning kidney.
No match? Try a donor chain:
- A friend or family member can enroll in a donor chain.
- Their kidney will go to another member of the chain who is a match.
- That person's donor passes their kidney to another patient.
- Multiple kidneys may be transplanted in a single chain.
Source: MayoClinic.org.