Replacement of a diseased organ or tissue with a healthy, living substitute. The organ is usually taken from a person who has just died. Some kidneys are transplanted from a patient’s living relatives (see organ donation). The results of surgery have also been improved by testing for histocompatibility antigens and tissue-typing. Rejection is a major problem. However, a combination of a corticosteroid drug and ciclosporin are given in order to suppress this response. Every patient who undergoes an organ transplant operation must take immunosuppressant drugs indefinitely. (See also heart transplant; heart–lung transplant; liver transplant; kidney transplant.)
Transplant surgery |
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