Anaesthesia considerations and challenges during renal transplantation: Current perspectives

Advances in renal transplantation over the last few years have made it the treatment of choice in end stage renal disease with a good success rate. The presence of co-morbid diseases and their resultant pathophysiologic alterations in the various organ systems make administration of anaesthesia a daunting task. The advent of newer safe anaesthetic agents and advanced anaesthetic techniques have made the surgery of transplantation a much more smooth and safe procedure nowadays. However, a greater thought has to be given in the pre-op period not only for the on-going medications for various diseases but also for definite immunosuppressive therapy requirements post-transplantation. A careful preoperative assessment and preparation with intraoperative maintenance of adequate blood volume and blood pressure are the key for better graft survival. The anaesthesiologist plays a pivotal role in the overall success of renal transplantation.