IndianTrue Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 Dr. Mark is it possible to graft a healthy kidney section to an ailing kidney in an attempt to repair the ailing one? It was mentioned to me by someone and would like to know if you have heard of this before before the patients Doctor is approached. Thank you Allen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Mark Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 Although this isn't my field, we do have to deal with a huge number of renal patients in the ED...mostly due to the very high prevalence of kidney disease in the Deep South. It's hard to specifically answer your question due to several factors, so I'll have to give you a generality... In general, the answer is no. In the majority of kidney diseases, due to the way the kidney functions, and due to the way most kidney ailments progress, grafting a portion of healthy kidney onto a diseased one would be of little value. The same things that are damaging the rest of the kidney will simply attack the new graft. Sadly, our treatment options for kidney diseases are pretty limited. This is why we have to put so many people on dialysis. Kidneys simply don't heal, or perhaps regenerate might be a better term, the way many other organs can. This is also why we have to do so many kidney transplants, which in essence is a type of graft, but we remove the entire organ and graft in a healthy one. (Unfortunately, in my case, I am in the front end of that whole process. I'm the guy who has to talk to families about making their soon-to-be-deceased loved one a heart, lung, liver or kidney donor, and then keep said donor alive until we can get them to the O.R. Even knowing how critical, and how badly needed it is...those are bad days at work, y'all.) Now, needless to say, I am NOT a nephrologist, so I have no idea if some huge breakthrough has occurred, which would allow grafting to be more successful, so there is your disclaimer... but I have not heard of any. Wish I could be more encouraging. -Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K9RANGER Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 OAlthough this isn't my field, we do have to deal with a huge number of renal patients in the ED...mostly due to the very high prevalence of kidney disease in the Deep South. Dr. Mark. Why do you think/know this is so high in the South? Is it related to diet/race, etc? Respectfully K9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndianTrue Posted October 7, 2009 Author Share Posted October 7, 2009 Although this isn't my field, we do have to deal with a huge number of renal patients in the ED...mostly due to the very high prevalence of kidney disease in the Deep South. It's hard to specifically answer your question due to several factors, so I'll have to give you a generality... In general, the answer is no. In the majority of kidney diseases, due to the way the kidney functions, and due to the way most kidney ailments progress, grafting a portion of healthy kidney onto a diseased one would be of little value. The same things that are damaging the rest of the kidney will simply attack the new graft. Sadly, our treatment options for kidney diseases are pretty limited. This is why we have to put so many people on dialysis. Kidneys simply don't heal, or perhaps regenerate might be a better term, the way many other organs can. This is also why we have to do so many kidney transplants, which in essence is a type of graft, but we remove the entire organ and graft in a healthy one. (Unfortunately, in my case, I am in the front end of that whole process. I'm the guy who has to talk to families about making their soon-to-be-deceased loved one a heart, lung, liver or kidney donor, and then keep said donor alive until we can get them to the O.R. Even knowing how critical, and how badly needed it is...those are bad days at work, y'all.) Now, needless to say, I am NOT a nephrologist, so I have no idea if some huge breakthrough has occurred, which would allow grafting to be more successful, so there is your disclaimer... but I have not heard of any. Wish I could be more encouraging. -Doc Dr. Mark I want to thank you for the information it really helped trying to figure the best way with helping out this young man. This forum is very lucky to have you involved with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Mark Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 Dr. Mark. Why do you think/know this is so high in the South? Is it related to diet/race, etc? Respectfully K9 (D.) All of the above. Diet, poverty, ignorance, and yes, race. Because of the diet we eat down here ("If it ain't fried, it ain't food!", and soul food in particular tends to be high in fats and sodium. Down here we have really really high rates of both high blood pressure, and diabetes, particularly in our black population, which genetically already has a high propensity for those anyway. Little towns with one stoplight, and no Wal Mart usually have their own "Kidney Care" clinic, an outpatient dialysis unit. It's also not very unusual to see people in their 40's and 50's dragging a leg from a stroke. Dr. Mark I want to thank you for the information it really helped trying to figure the best way with helping out this young man. This forum is very lucky to have you involved with it. You are quite welcome. Wish I'd been more help. -Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clan Chief Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 As a kidney donor, I urge each of you to consider this. Donating a kidney in no way reduces your activity or energy. You might have a scar, but those are cool anyway. The surgery didnt cost me a penny, as the recipients insurance covers everything, and usually there is a donor program that covers any incidentals. You dont need both kidneys, and its a pretty simple surgery to have one dontated. Recovery is just taking it easy for a while, and the discomfort is minimal. Consider it. If not for someone you know--then someone you can help that has been waiting on dialysis --- and they dont put you on those untill you are almost dead. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallRider Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 Valerie's best friend back in Minneapolis did exactly that - donated a kidney. Absolutely amazing. While I have the "Donor" designation on my Washington driver's license, I don't think they'll be harvesting my kidneys becuase I practically have a kidney stone farm in my right kidney. I've passed a dozen stones over the last 33 years . . . the last one felt like the size of a watermellon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tahoe Chief Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 (D.) All of the above. Diet, poverty, ignorance, and yes, race. Because of the diet we eat down here ("If it ain't fried, it ain't food!", and soul food in particular tends to be high in fats and sodium. Down here we have really really high rates of both high blood pressure, and diabetes, particularly in our black population, which genetically already has a high propensity for those anyway. Little towns with one stoplight, and no Wal Mart usually have their own "Kidney Care" clinic, an outpatient dialysis unit. It's also not very unusual to see people in their 40's and 50's dragging a leg from a stroke. You are quite welcome. Wish I'd been more help. -Doc Is this also true in the gallbladder epidemic ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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