*Performs J&K’s first ABO-incompatible transplant
Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, Mar 23: The Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, has surpassed 800 kidney transplants since the inception of its transplant programme 27 years ago, marking a major milestone in advanced renal care in Jammu and Kashmir.
The institute has also successfully conducted J&K’s first ABO-incompatible kidney transplant, expanding treatment options for patients with mismatched blood groups who previously had limited access to transplantation.
The procedure, officials said, was carried out in February this year and involved a recipient with an A+ blood group and a donor (husband) with an AB+ blood group-an arrangement traditionally considered incompatible due to the high risk of immediate immune rejection.
Despite this, the transplant was successful, and the patient was discharged within 10 days of surgery with a stable and functioning graft, officials said.
Officials noted that the kidney transplant programme, which began in 1999 reflects the steady evolution of specialised renal care in the J&K and strengthening its capacity to manage end-stage renal disease.
Pertinent to mention here, an ABO-incompatible kidney transplant is a complex procedure in which the donor and recipient have different blood groups.
Under normal circumstances, naturally occurring antibodies in the recipient’s body attack the transplanted organ, leading to rejection.
However, advances in transplant medicine have made it possible to overcome this barrier through specialised pre- and post-operative protocols that reduce antibody levels and regulate the immune response.
Doctors at SKIMS attributed the success of the procedure to advanced antibody reduction therapy, blood purification techniques such as plasmapheresis, and comprehensive immunological management, which helped minimise the risk of rejection and ensured a positive clinical outcome.
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