Kidney transplant is one of the most revolutionary procedures in contemporary medicine, providing a second chance at life to individuals with end-stage renal disease. In India, the practice has seen a gradual increase over the last two decades, with better access to cutting-edge care and awareness. Still, the country continues to experience major challenges, most notably the dependence on living donors because of a lagging behind deceased donor program. In the midst of this changing scenario, a select group of visionary surgeons are taking the lead with commitment and innovation. Among them is one name, that of Dr Amit K. Devra, Senior Director of Urology, Robotic Urology, Uro-Oncology, and Head of Kidney Transplant Surgery, Max Super Specialty Hospital, Noida. His practice revolves around the intersection of clinical expertise, ethical standards, and technological innovation. From his transplantation program leadership to pioneering surgeries, he is considered to be one of the biggest forces in Indian transplant and urology care.

Charting the Path to Surgical Excellence

Dr Amit K Devra’s success story started in a small town close to Kushinagar, where he attained his initial schooling. With the goal of making a difference in people’s lives, he studied his MBBS from King George Medical College, Lucknow, and further pursued specialization with a Master’s degree in General Surgery from S.N. Medical College, Agra. His vocation in kidney transplant surgery became evident in his super-specialization (DNB in Urology) at the Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Center (IKDRC) in Ahmedabad, which is one of India’s top organ transplant centers.

While undergoing his training, Dr Amit K. Devra treated many patients with renal failure. The dramatic recovery of their lives after the transplant had a very strong impact on him. “Seeing patients smile again after transplant made me believe that this is my calling”, he says. This experience led to his strengthening commitment to the field of urology and transplant surgery. Having completed his residency at IKDRC in the year 2007, he served there as teaching faculty for two years. This sharpened his academics as well as his surgical prowess before joining private practice.

He subsequently joined Pushpawati Singhania Research Institute in New Delhi, where he was senior consultant and then Unit Head for more than five years. His tenure continued further as he facilitated successful transplant programs at Max Hospital Vaishali (earlier Pushpanjali Crosslay Hospital) and Jaypee Hospital, Noida, where he became the Director of Urology & Kidney Transplant, as well as the Clinical Co-Ordinator for the

Kidney Transplant Program. Currently at Max Super Specialty Hospital, Noida, Dr Amit K. Devra leads a high achiever team, providing innovative urology and kidney transplant care.

Ensuring A Team-Driven Victory

In the last two decades, Dr Amit K. Devra has performed & supervised over 20,000 urology procedures, which include a gamut of subspecialties including endourology, laparoscopic procedures, pediatric urology, women’s urology, reconstructive urology, and uro-oncology. His own track record boasts in excess of 1,500 successful kidney trans -plantations, making him one of the most accomplished kidney transplant surgeons in the country.

What distinguishes Dr Devra is not only his expertise but also his team-based and holistic approach. He lays stress on coordination between nephrologists, immunologists, and surgeons to provide smooth patient care. Every complicated case is deliberated at length, valuing each member’s opinion. He says, “Being proactive in identifying surgical challenges is key, I believe in solving a problem before it becomes a concern”.

Transplant surgery is pressure from every side, including medical, emotional, and social but remaining committed and ethical makes it most rewarding

Dr Amit K. Devra is especially adept at managing complex transplant situations like donors with vascular anomalies, recipients with abnormal urinary tracts, or pediatric and obese patients. His surgical skills, particularly in marginal donor and swap transplant patients, reflect his dedication to solving problems instead of rejecting patients. With advancing technology, Dr Amit K. Devra has led the way in modern operating procedures, he believes in adopting minimally invasive procedures. Now, more than 95 percent of donor nephrectomies in his practice are done laparoscopically, allowing for quicker recovery and motivating more individuals to donate organs. He advises adopting robot-assisted transplant methods, particularly for obese patients or difficult anatomical cases, and is confident that robotic surgery will become more common as technology becomes less expensive and more broadly available.

Dr Amit K. Devra’s experience in clinical research also adds weight to his contribution. He has conducted and been part of clinical trials, notably in ABO-incompatible transplants and transplants of highly sensitized recipients. He was instrumental in the assessment of the Endo TA stapler for laparoscopic right donor surgeries, a development that has now found favor with various transplant centers in India.

Future Vision

In the years to come, Dr Amit K. Devra sees two major priorities for the future of transplant treatment in India. To begin with, he wishes to enhance the deceased donor transplant program through greater awareness among the populace and medical professionals. It is a country with a burgeoning population, yet the rate of cadaveric donations is low because there is not enough education and there are cultural misconceptions. He feels that community outreach, counseling, and open protocols can alter this situation.

Second, he predicts wider use of robotic surgery in transplant procedures. Although the cost is prohibitive now, advances in technology and improved infrastructure can make this a possibility for more patients in the near future. His aim is to make complicated surgeries less invasive and more accessible, thus improving success rates and patient comfort.

Awards & Certificates

•Achievers in Rising Star in Kidney Transplant - Times Healthcare Achiever 2018
•Successful Kidney Transplant from the Oldest Kidney Donor (80 years) - India Book of Records July 2021
•Sushruta Award for Clinical Excellence in Kidney Transplant (as team) across Max Hospitals in India - Max Healthcare 2024
•Programme Director for Fellowship in Renal Transplant Surgery (NBE accredited)