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Transplant Surgery

Overview

What Is a Transplant Surgery?

A Transplant surgery is highly specialised and intricate where surgery to replace a failing organ in a patient's body with a healthy one from another person, is performed. It has a profound role for when all other medical options have been exhausted, is a life-saving treatment for end-stage organ failure.

A transplant surgeon has undergone years of advanced training to become an expert at the complex technical procedure of organ transplant surgery. They also manage the comprehensive, lifelong care journey of the transplant patient after surgery. A deep knowledge of immunology is necessary across this specialty. This is important to manage organ rejection, alongside meticulous pre-operative planning and post-operative management. Transplant surgeries offer a second chance at life by blending technical precision, teamwork and compassionate, continuous care post-surgery.

Types of Organ Transplant

Specific organs, each have their own criteria and complexities, and transplant programmes are built around this. Kidney transplantation is the one of the most common and well-established procedures, often performed for patients with end-stage renal disease, where it offers them freedom from dialysis. Liver transplantation comes second, and is usually an option for those with cirrhosis and certain cancers who are faced with advanced liver failure.

Heart transplantation can sometimes be the only option for patients with severe heart disease that is unresponsive to other treatments. For progressive, debilitating lung conditions similarly, lung transplantation is considered. Specialised centres may also perform transplants of the pancreas, often in conjunction with a kidney for diabetic patients. In rare cases, intestinal transplants can be performed. To assess suitability and manage the unique challenges involved with each organ, every type of transplant requires a cross functional team.

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Seeking a transplant is a critical step in a patient’s life. It is typically guided by a primary specialist like a nephrologist for kidney disease or a hepatologist for liver disease. When, despite optimal medical management, a chronic condition progresses to an advanced stage, significantly impacting quality of life and long-term survival, the conversation about organ transplantation will generally begin.

For instance, this might be when dialysis is imminent or has already begun for kidney patients. It could be when complications like persistent jaundice, fluid retention or internal bleeding occur for those with liver disease. In patients with heart and lung disease, when symptoms like severe breathlessness at rest or with minimal activity limit daily life, this may mark the possibility of a transplant.

A referral to a specialist is also appropriate, as is pro-active monitoring, for patients who have a condition with a known high risk of progressing to organ failure. Patients don’t necessarily commit to surgery if they visit a transplant specialist. It allows for them to receive a thorough assessment, education and planning. Should the need arise, this ensures patients are well-informed and prepared.

A rigorous, multi-layered process is undergone in determining if a patient is a suitable candidate for organ transplant surgery. This rigorous approach is put in place to ensure the best possible outcome. An exhaustive review of the complete medical history is conducted. The core of the assessment involves a battery of advanced tests used to evaluate the function of the failing organ in precise detail. Other tools used to perform assessments could be specialised blood tests, advanced imaging like CT scans and MRIs and often invasive tests like heart catheterisations or liver biopsies.

A full "fitness for surgery" work-up is conducted which meticulously assesses the heart, lung and overall nutritional health of patients. A transplant journey requires significant commitment and resilience, and psychological and social support evaluations are also integral to the process. All findings are reviewed by a cross functional team of transplant surgeons, organ-specific physicians, anaesthetists, psychiatrists, dietitians and transplant coordinators. All specialists collectively decide on a patient’s suitability and place them on the national transplant waiting list if appropriate.

  • End-Stage Renal Disease
  • Decompensated Liver Cirrhosis
  • Hepatocellular Carcinoma (Liver Cancer)
  • Advanced Heart Failure
  • End-Stage Lung Diseases
  • Type 1 Diabetes with Renal Failure

Organ transplantation is a multifaceted process managed by a dedicated team at NMC across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain. With an understanding that this is one of life's most significant medical journeys, our process begins with a comprehensive evaluation to build a complete picture of a patient’s health. For those listed for a transplant, we provide continuous care and monitoring while waiting.

When the time comes, and utilising advanced surgical techniques, our transplant surgeons perform the procedure with precision. Our care, however, truly defines itself in the years that follow as managing a transplant is a lifelong partnership. We provide rigorous, personalised post-operative care to monitor organ function, meticulously manage immunosuppressive medications which is done to prevent rejection while minimising side effects. We offer ongoing support for nutrition, rehabilitation and mental well-being to all patients. A long-term commitment like this ensures that every patient in our network receiving organ transplant surgery in the UAE has the best foundation for a healthy future.

World class experts, our team of highly skilled transplant surgeons carries a profound dedication to this life-changing field. Working at the heart of a much larger, essential ecosystem, teams include transplant physicians like nephrologists and hepatologists, dedicated transplant coordinators, specialist nurses, clinical dieticians, physiotherapists and immunologists.

Their ability to guide patients and families through this complex process with clarity and empathy, are what our consultants are recognised for, in addition to their technical skill. They take the time to explain procedures and risks, cater to concerns and provide the reassurance needed during a time that can feel overwhelming.

Our specialists across the NMC network across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain offer a combination of expert clinical management and compassionate, unwavering support from evaluation through to long-term wellness, for anyone exploring the possibility of an organ transplant.

FAQs

Find the Answer to Your Medical Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

A living donor transplant involves a healthy person, often a family member or friend, donating an entire organ or a portion of an organ. A deceased donor transplant involves an organ donated after someone has passed away.
Organ longevity varies. Many kidney transplants function well for 15-20 years or more, with today's advanced medications and care. Liver and heart transplants also have excellent long-term survival rates. Strict adherence to medication and follow-up plans is the key to longevity, which our team will support you with every step of the way.
A primary risk would be organ rejection. This happens when the body's immune system attacks the new organ. Other risks include side effects from the lifelong immunosuppressant medications needed to prevent rejection. Increased susceptibility to infections, high blood pressure or changes in kidney function are all possible side effects from medication. Care is designed to monitor for and manage these risks proactively and our post-transplant will support at every stage.
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