External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday underwent a 5-hour surgery that replaced her kidney. The surgery at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, which lasted from 9 am to 2:30 pm, was a success, and Swaraj has since been moved to the intensive care unit of the hospital.
She had been admitted to AIIMS on November 7 following renal failure. Her transplant took place with the help of a kidney donated to her by an unrelated living donor. Swaraj, 64, had a history of chronic diabetes, which had impacted the functioning of her kidneys.
The doctors who carried out the surgery at the cardio-thoracic centre included AIIMS Director, Dr MC Mishra along with nephrologist Sandeep Mahajan and surgeons V Seenu and VK Bansal.
"Living, unrelated donor could be anyone who is emotionally attached to the recipient, such as friend, a relative, a neighbour or an in-law. As no suitable donor was available in the immediate family, the transplant was done with the kidney from a living unrelated donor," a source said.
"The clearance from the authorisation committee was obtained prior to the procedure," the source added.
After the renal failure analysis, the 64-year-old had to undergo maintenance dialysis thrice a week, a senior doctor informed.
"Surgery was successful, and I think Sushma Swaraj ji should be discharged in a week or so," Dr M C Mishra said, ANI reported.
On November 9, while Swaraj was on dialysis, she had revealed about her condition through Twitter micro blogging site, she tweeted: "Presently, I am on dialysis. I am undergoing tests for a Kidney transplant. Lord Krishna will bless."
As a response to her tweet, many people showed her immense support by willing to help her by donating their kidneys for the transplant.
