Transplantation is a procedure that is done to replace one of your organs with a healthy one from someone else. The surgery is only one part of a complex, long-term process.
Several experts will help you prepare for the procedure, and make sure you are comfortable before, during, and after surgery.
Information
Transplant surgery is typically done to replace a diseased body part with a healthy one.
SOLID ORGAN TRANSPLANTS
- Auto islet cell transplant is done after a person has their pancreas removed due to long-term (chronic) pancreatitis. The procedure takes insulin-producing cells from the pancreas and returns them to the person's body.
- Corneal transplant replaces a damaged or diseased cornea. The cornea is the clear tissue on the front of the eye that helps focus light on the retina. It is the part of the eye on which a contact lens rests.
- Heart transplant is an option for someone with congestive heart failure that has not responded to medical treatment.
- Intestinal transplant is an option for people with short bowel or short gut syndrome or advanced liver disease, or who must receive all nutrients through a feeding line.
- Kidney transplant is an option for someone with long-term (chronic) kidney failure. It may be done with a kidney-pancreas transplant.
- Liver transplant may be the only option for someone with liver disease that has led to liver failure.
- Lung transplant may replace one or both lungs. It may be the only option for someone with lung disease who has not gotten better using other medicines and therapies, and is expected to survive for less than 2 years.
BLOOD/BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTS (STEM CELL TRANSPLANTS)
You may need a stem cell transplant if you have a disease that damages the cells in bone marrow, or if you received high doses of chemotherapy or radiation.
Depending on the type of transplant, your procedure may be called a bone marrow transplant, a cord blood transplant, or a peripheral blood stem cell transplant. All three use stem cells, which are immature cells that give rise to all blood cells. Stem cell transplants are similar to blood transfusions and generally do not need surgery.
There are two different types of transplants:
- Autologous transplants use your own blood cells or bone marrow.
- Allogeneic transplants use a donor's blood cells or bone marrow. A syngeneic allogeneic transplant uses cells or bone marrow from the person's identical twin.
THE TRANSPLANT SERVICES TEAM
The transplant services team includes carefully selected experts, including:
- Surgeons who specialize in performing organ transplants
- Medical doctors
- Radiologists and medical imaging technologists
- Nurses
- Infectious disease experts
- Physical therapists
- Psychiatrists, psychologists, and other counselors
- Social workers
- Nutritionists and dietitians
BEFORE AN ORGAN TRANSPLANT
You will have a complete medical exam to identify and treat all medical problems, such as kidney and heart disease.
The transplant team will evaluate you and review your medical history to determine if you meet the criteria for organ transplantation. Most types of organ transplants have guidelines detailing what type of person is most likely to benefit from a transplant and will be able to manage the challenging process.
If the transplant team believes you are a good candidate for a transplant, you will be put on a national waiting list. Your place on a waiting list is based on a number of factors, which depend on the type of transplant you are receiving.
Once you are on the waiting list, the search for a matching donor begins. Types of donors depend on your specific transplant, but include:
- A living related donor is related to you, such as a parent, sibling, or child.
- A living unrelated donor is a person, such as a friend or spouse.
- A deceased donor is someone who has recently died. The heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, intestines, and pancreas can be recovered from an organ donor.
After donating an organ, living donors can live a normal, healthy life.
You should identify family, friends, or other caregivers who can offer help and support during and after the transplant process.
You will also want to prepare your home to make it comfortable for when you return after being released from the hospital.
AFTER A TRANSPLANT
How long you stay in the hospital depends on the type of transplant that you have. During your stay in the hospital, you will be seen daily by the transplant services team.
Your transplant services coordinators will arrange for your discharge. They will discuss with you plans for care at home, transportation to clinic visits, and housing, if needed.
You will be told how to take care of yourself after the transplant. This will include information about:
- Medicines
- How often you need to visit the doctor or clinic
- What daily activities are allowed or off-limits
After leaving the hospital, you will return home.
You will have periodic follow-ups with the transplant team, as well as with your primary care doctor and any other specialists that may be recommended. The transplant services team will be available to answer any questions that you may have.
References
Badell IR, Adams AB, Ford M, Larsen CP. Transplantation immunobiology and immunosuppression. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 25.
Streat SJ. Organ donation. In: Bersten AD, Handy JM, eds. Oh's Intensive Care Manual. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 102.
United Network for Organ Sharing website. Transplant. unos.org/transplant/. Accessed July 1, 2022.
U.S. Government Information on Organ Donation and Transplantation website. Learn about organ donation. www.organdonor.gov/learn. Updated April 2021. Accessed July 1, 2022.
Review Date 1/25/2022
Updated by: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Related MedlinePlus Health Topics
- Organ Transplantation
I'm an expert in the field of organ transplantation, with a deep understanding of the complex and intricate procedures involved in replacing diseased organs with healthy ones. My knowledge extends across various types of organ transplants, including solid organ transplants and blood/bone marrow transplants (stem cell transplants). Allow me to demonstrate my expertise by delving into the key concepts presented in the article:
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Types of Organ Transplants:
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Solid Organ Transplants:
- Auto Islet Cell Transplant: This procedure is performed after the removal of the pancreas due to chronic pancreatitis. Insulin-producing cells are extracted from the pancreas and returned to the patient's body.
- Corneal Transplant: Involves replacing a damaged or diseased cornea, the clear tissue at the front of the eye.
- Heart Transplant: An option for individuals with congestive heart failure unresponsive to medical treatment.
- Intestinal Transplant: Considered for those with short bowel or advanced liver disease.
- Kidney Transplant: Suitable for individuals with chronic kidney failure, sometimes combined with a kidney-pancreas transplant.
- Liver Transplant: May be the only option for liver disease leading to failure.
- Lung Transplant: Replacement of one or both lungs, typically for individuals with lung disease not responding to other treatments.
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Blood/Bone Marrow Transplants (Stem Cell Transplants):
- Stem Cell Transplants: Used for diseases damaging bone marrow cells or after high-dose chemotherapy/radiation. Includes autologous (using the patient's own cells) and allogeneic (using a donor's cells) transplants.
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Transplant Services Team:
- A team of carefully selected experts, including surgeons, medical doctors, radiologists, nurses, infectious disease experts, physical therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, social workers, and nutritionists.
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Preparation for Organ Transplant:
- Complete medical exams to identify and treat underlying issues.
- Evaluation by the transplant team to determine candidacy.
- Placement on a national waiting list based on specific criteria.
- Identification of living related/unrelated donors or deceased donors.
- Preparation of home and support system for post-transplant care.
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During and After Transplant:
- Hospital stay duration varies based on the transplant type.
- Daily monitoring by the transplant services team.
- Post-transplant care instructions, including medication management and lifestyle adjustments.
- Periodic follow-ups with the transplant team and other healthcare specialists.
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References:
- The article references reputable sources such as the United Network for Organ Sharing website and U.S. Government Information on Organ Donation and Transplantation website, adding credibility to the information presented.
In conclusion, my expertise encompasses the entire spectrum of organ transplantation, from the intricacies of surgical procedures to the comprehensive care provided by a multidisciplinary team throughout the transplant process.
