Kidney transplant in Tamil Nadu sets record for shortest wait time

Kidney transplant recipient interacting with Dr. Prabhu Kanchi, Lead Transplant Nephrologist, iORTA at a press meet in Chennai on Friday. | Photo Credit: SRINATH M

A 44-year-old patient with end-stage kidney disease underwent a successful transplantation at FIMS Hospital, Coimbatore, just nine days after being registered on the State’s organ transplantation wait-list. The procedure, facilitated through the Indian Organ Transplant Associates (iORTA)  system at FIMS hospital, marks the shortest recorded wait time for a brain-dead donor kidney transplantation in Tamil Nadu.

The patient had been on dialysis since October 2023 and was added to the transplantation list on April 25. A kidney became available from a 43-year-old donor declared brain-dead at Erode Medical College and Hospital following a road traffic accident. The donor’s rising creatinine levels – from 1.8 to 7.0 mg/dL – led many transplantation centres to reject the organ due to concerns over its function.

However, the iORTA team conducted a detailed assessment using virtual crossmatch, frozen section biopsy, and machine perfusion testing. These methods confirmed the organ’s viability for transplant. “We followed a thorough scientific protocol to assess the organ before proceeding,” said Prabhu Kanchi, lead transplant nephrologist, iORTA.

The surgery involved an en bloc implantation technique, where both kidneys were transplanted on one side of the body. This reduced the need for two surgical sites and helped minimise post-operative complications. Despite extended ischemia times – 10 hours cold and 2.5 hours warm – the transplantation was completed successfully.

The patient, who attended the press meet, is reportedly stable and recovering well, showing early signs of good graft function. Doctors at the event emphasised that this case highlights the value of scientific evaluation in increasing access to organs that might otherwise be rejected.

Published - June 07, 2025 12:49 am IST