Organ Transplantation

Organ transplantation is a surgical procedure in which a damaged or non-functioning organ is replaced with a healthy one from a donor. The procedure is typically performed on patients with end-stage organ failure, a condition in which the organ has lost most of its ability to function and can no longer sustain life. Organ transplantation is often the last resort for patients with organ failure and can greatly improve their quality of life and increase their life expectancy. Common organs transplanted include the liver, kidney and pancreas. The success of organ transplantation depends on a variety of factors, including the availability of donor organs, compatibility between the donor and recipient, and the effectiveness of post-transplant care and medication to prevent rejection of the new organ.

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Liver Transplantation

Liver transplantation is a surgical procedure in which a diseased liver is replaced with a healthy liver from a donor. It is a treatment option for end-stage liver disease or acute liver failure, in which the liver is no longer able to perform its vital functions. The transplant can come from a deceased donor or a living donor, who must undergo extensive evaluations and tests to ensure the compatibility of the blood types and the health of the donor candidate. Immunosuppressant medication is required for liver transplant patients throughout their lifetime to prevent rejection of the transplanted liver. The goal of liver transplantation is to improve the quality of life and increase the life expectancy of the patient.

How to Find a Healthy Liver for Transplantation

To find a healthy liver for transplantation, there are two main sources of organs: deceased donors and living donors.

Deceased donors are individuals who have suffered brain death and have consented to organ donation. The organs are then procured and transplanted to the recipient. The liver transplant obtained from such donors is called "cadaveric liver transplantation."

However, due to a shortage of available organs, many patients die while waiting for a transplant. Therefore, living donor liver transplantation is also an option. This involves taking a portion of the liver from a living donor, who is usually a relative of the patient. The donor undergoes intensive audits and evaluations to ensure compatibility and suitability. If there are no contraindications in terms of liver donation, the liver section (right or left) appropriate for the patient's weight is obtained from the donor and transplanted into the patient's corresponding liver section.

Finding a healthy liver for transplantation involves matching the blood type and conducting thorough medical evaluations and tests on both the donor and recipient. Medical evaluations may consist of blood and urine tests, investigations of infectious diseases, radiological examinations, and consultation with other medical units such as cardiology and chest diseases.

Important Criteria for Liver Transplantation

There are several important criteria that need to be considered for liver transplantation.

First and foremost, the blood type of the patient and the donor must be compatible to ensure a successful transplant.

Medical evaluations and tests are also crucial in determining the feasibility of liver transplantation. The donor candidate will undergo social, psychological, and medical evaluations. Medical evaluations typically involve blood and urine examinations, investigations of infectious diseases, radiological examinations, and consultations with other medical units, such as cardiology and chest diseases.

Other factors that play a role in determining the possibility of an operation between the patient and donor candidate include the amount of liver the patient needs, the general health of the donor candidate, the possibility of dividing the liver appropriately, and the structure of the bile ducts.

Overall, the main goal of liver transplantation is to improve the quality of life and increase the life expectancy of the patient. Therefore, all relevant factors must be carefully considered to ensure the best possible outcome.

Do Liver Transplantation Patients Have To Use Medication Throughout Their Whole Life?

To prevent rejection of the transplanted liver, patients who have undergone liver transplantation must take medication to suppress their immune system for the rest of their lives. This is a crucial requirement for the success of the treatment, as failing to take the medication regularly can result in the immune system attacking the foreign organ. This can lead to the loss of the transplanted liver or even the patient's life. Therefore, it is essential that patients follow their medication regimen as prescribed by their healthcare team to maintain the health and function of their transplanted liver.

Life After A Liver Transplantation

The goal of liver liver transplantation is to return a person to normal, active and productive life. The goal is to return both the patient and the donor to their pre-operation performance levels.

Kidney Transplantation

Kidney transplantation is a surgical procedure in which a healthy kidney from a donor is transplanted into a person with kidney failure. The transplanted kidney takes over the function of the failed kidneys and filters waste and excess fluid from the body.

Kidney failure can occur due to a variety of reasons, such as chronic kidney disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, or genetic disorders. When the kidneys are no longer able to function properly, patients may require dialysis or kidney transplantation to stay alive.

The donor kidney for transplantation can come from a living donor, such as a family member or friend, or from a deceased donor whose family has agreed to organ donation. The compatibility between the donor and recipient is determined through blood and tissue typing.

After the kidney transplantation, patients will require close medical follow-up and medication management to prevent rejection of the transplanted kidney. If successful, kidney transplantation can significantly improve the quality of life for patients with kidney failure.

Transplantation from Live Donor is Much Easier Now

Despite the significant efforts made worldwide, cadaveric transplants from individuals who have suffered brain death have not reached adequate levels and their numbers are increasing slowly every year. Consequently, live donor transplants have become a viable solution for organ failure. In terms of the donor's health and post-operation comfort, the gold standard in our day is laparoscopic kidney removal. This operation is performed by making small holes in the patient's abdomen instead of creating a large incision. This technique has become popular in the world over the last decade, and many operations that were traditionally performed with an open approach are now done laparoscopically. The first laparoscopic kidney removal operation was performed in the USA in 1995, and it has since become a standard treatment worldwide.