Organ Transplant

While organ transplant was initially restricted to the transplantation of vital organs, today, medical, and surgical processes have developed to allow transplantation of several organs that allow not only a longer lifespan, but an improved quality of life for recipient patients. Organ transplant types today include:

1. Heart transplant

Since the heart is a vital organ, an organ transplant is provided to the donor from a deceased patient who has suffered brain death, often in the case of an accident. This replaces the damaged heart and offers a completely new one as a chance at an extended life. Since strict guidelines surround such a procedure, the organ transplantation procedure is carried out by highly specialised doctors working round the clock to monitor patient’s vital signs throughout the process. Due to a scarcity of donors, heart transplants are one of the most critical and least performed organ transplant surgeries, and operations are very few annually.

2. Lung transplant

Lung transplant is also a procedure that requires extensive attention since it is a vital organ, not just for survival but also for the procedure. Due to the limited availability of donors and the criticality of time of transport, lung transplants also remain rare across the globe. The organ transplant process is highly dependent on finding a highly suitable donor to prevent organ transplant rejection and avoid the immune system attacking the new transplant.

3. Liver transplant

In cases of irreversible liver disease, the unhealthy liver is removed and replaced with either a portion of a liver from a living donor, such as a relative, or one from a deceased donor. End-stage liver disease, especially cirrhosis of the liver due to alcohol abuse, is the most common reason for organ transplant surgery for the liver. Other causes may include chronic hepatitis B or chronic hepatitis C, autoimmune hepatitis, metabolic disorders, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The success rate for liver transplants is relatively high, and 75% of patients are alive after five years of a liver transplant.

4. Pancreas transplant

Kidney and pancreas double transplant are the most common type of organ transplant surgery requiring a pancreas transplant; it is seldom conducted alone. Type 1 diabetes causing kidney failure is the reason for this type of organ transplant surgery, and in most cases, both organs come from a single deceased donor. It is possible, however, that in the kidney-pancreas double transplant, the kidney comes from a living donor, usually a relative, and only the pancreas from a deceased donor. though it is common in Type 2 diabetes, our doctors advise a double organ transplant involving the kidney and pancreas after carefully assessing each case.

In type 1 diabetes, pancreas does not make enough insulin, which causes progressive kidney failure. To an organ transplant may be advised for patient’s survival, and the transplanted pancreas can produce adequate insulin.

5. Cornea transplant

In cases where corneal tissue is scarred or otherwise irreparably damaged due to disease or injury, a corneal transplant is suggested. Corneal transplant surgery shows a high rate of success, and this is one of the more commonly performed organ transplantations. Since corneal eye disease is one of the most common reasons for blindness, corneal transplants are becoming more commonly suggested, and the advances in this type of organ transplant have been immense from a surgical perspective.

Scarring from eye infections such as keratitis or herpes, and other eye diseases such as keratoconus where the shape of the cornea is distorted, make an eye transplant the only way to restore vision. Hereditary conditions can also cause corneal disease. Organ transplantation involving the cornea may also be suggested in cases where cataract and LASIK surgeries have been unsuccessful and caused further complications.

6. Kidney transplant

Renal disease affects a large part of the population today. Kidneys are an essential part of the human mechanism, helping to filter out toxins from the blood, and ensuring an electrolyte balance that allows the body to function normally. Kidney failure can be contained by either dialysis or kidney transplants. In the cases where dialysis is ruled out due to the severity of the kidney failure or overall health conditions, an organ transplant surgery is suggested. Either one, or both kidneys may be replaced for such patients. A single kidney transplant usually involves a living organ transplant donor, and both are put on specialised diets and medication to reduce chances of organ transplantation complications such as rejection of the donor organ or blood infections. Patients with cancer, hepatitis or cardiovascular disease are not chosen as candidates for most organ transplant processes, including kidney transplants.

Receiving a kidney from a living relative reduces the chance of rejection of the organ and is suggested as a better choice for organ transplant. This also enables the patient awaiting transfer to bypass the wait of many years to receive the organ transplant.

7. Trachea transplant

One of the least conducted organ transplant surgeries, tracheal transplant is performed when the trachea or the airway hardens or is scarred due to disease or injury. Tracheal transplant helps patients with breathing difficulties due to trauma from tracheal dysfunction to have a more normal life. The organ transplant process involves procuring the trachea from a deceased donor and replacing the patient's trachea.

8. Skin transplant

Burn or other skin injuries that are too severe to be repaired by the body can be helped through skin transplants. This type of organ transplantation involves grafting donor skin onto the affected area and immunosuppressive drugs help prevent graft rejection. Once the organ transplant surgery is carried out, the patient stays under medical observation for a length of time. Our doctors prescribe organ transplantation procedures only in cases of severe injury where your own skin cannot be grafted. Once the donor’s skin is successfully transplanted, doctors may also transplant the patient’s own skin onto other parts of the body.

More often, however, organ transplantation involving the skin does not require a donor. Healthy skin is grafted from the patient's own body onto the burnt area. The injured skin can be more easily replaced as the chances of rejection of the organ transplant are lowered.

Guide to Organ Transplants