The key difference between dialysis and kidney transplant is that dialysis is a medical procedure to eliminate waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys do not function properly, while kidney transplant is the organ transplant of a kidney into a patient suffering from the end stage kidney disease.
Dialysis and kidney transplant are two treatment methods for kidney failure. Together, the two treatments are known as kidney replacement therapy. Dialysis is a temporary treatment for those with acute renal failure. They can take this treatment until their kidneys begin to work again. However, kidney function worsens over time and turns into a condition called chronic kidney disease. Furthermore, worsening of kidney function results in the end stage of kidney disease. This is when kidney transplantation is needed.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Dialysis
3. What is Kidney Transplant
4. Similarities – Dialysis and Kidney Transplant
5. Dialysis vs Kidney Transplant in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Dialysis vs Kidney Transplant
What is Dialysis?
Dialysis is a medical procedure that removes waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys do not function properly. This procedure often involves diverting the blood to a machine to be cleaned. If kidneys are not working properly, for example, if a person is suffering from acute kidney failure, kidneys may not be able to clean the blood properly. Therefore, waste products and fluid can build up to dangerous levels in the body if left untreated. This may also cause a number of unpleasant symptoms. Dialysis filters out unwanted substances and fluid from the blood before this happens.
Figure 01: Dialysis
There are two main types of dialysis as hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. In hemodialysis, a tube is attached to a needle in the arm. Blood passes along the tube and goes into an external machine that filters it. Later, the purified blood passes into the arm along another tube. On the other hand, peritoneal dialysis uses the inside lining of the abdomen (the peritoneum) as the filter rather than a machine. Furthermore, hemodialysis can cause itchy skin and muscle cramps, while peritoneal dialysis can put people at risk of developing peritonitis.
What is Kidney Transplant?
Kidney transplant is a surgery placing a healthy kidney from a living or deceased donor into a person who is suffering from end-stage kidney disease. The common causes of end-stage kidney disease include diabetes, chronic, uncontrolled high blood pressure, chronic glomerulonephritis, and polycystic kidney disease. When compared to dialysis, kidney transplant is associated with better quality of life, lower risk of death, fewer dietary restrictions, and lower treatment costs.
Figure 02: Kidney Transplant
However, complications that are associated with kidney transplant include blood clots and bleeding, leak or blockage in the tube that connects the kidney to the ureter, infection, rejection of the donated kidney, infections or cancer that can be passed on from the donated kidney, heart attack, stroke, and death.
What are the Similarities Between Dialysis and Kidney Transplant?
- Dialysis and kidney transplant are two treatment options for patients suffering from kidney failure.
- Together, the two treatments are known as kidney replacement therapy.
- Both treatment options can enhance the life expectancy of patients suffering from kidney failure.
- Both treatment options have side effects or complications.
What is the Difference Between Dialysis and Kidney Transplant?
Dialysis is a procedure that removes waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys are not functioning properly, while kidney transplant is the organ transplant of a kidney into a patient suffering from end-stage kidney disease. This is the key difference between dialysis and kidney transplant. Furthermore, dialysis is mainly performed for patients who normally suffer from acute kidney failure, while kidney transplant is mainly performed for patients who normally suffer from chronic kidney failure or end-stage kidney disease.
The following table summarizes the difference between dialysis and kidney transplant.
Summary – Dialysis vs Kidney Transplant
Dialysis and kidney transplant are two treatment methods for patients suffering from kidney failure. Dialysis is a procedure to remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys are not functioning properly, while kidney transplant is the organ transplant of a kidney to a patient suffering from end-stage kidney disease. This is the key difference between dialysis and kidney transplant.
Reference:
1. “Dialysis” NHS Choices, NHS.
2. “Kidney Transplant.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 3 May 2022.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Dialysis – arm – 01” By Anna Frodesiak – Own work (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Kidney transplant” By Wiremu Stadtwald Demchick – This SVG coat of arms includes elements that have been taken or adapted from this coat of arms (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia