Organ Transplant

Definition: Organ transplant involves transferring an organ from one individual to another to address defective, damaged, or missing organs in the recipient's body.

• Organs: Lungs, kidneys, pancreas, intestine, heart, and liver.
• Tissues: Skin, heart valves, tendons, middle ear, and bone marrow.

• Organ retrieval from donor.
• Transplantation into recipient to replace damaged organ.

• Organs must be matched for size and blood type.
• Some organs, like CNS tissue, cannot be transplanted due to regrowth limitations.
• Similarly, certain tissues like bones, veins, and nerves have limited transplant options.

Logistical and Medical Characteristics:

• Relative distance between donor and recipient.
• Size of the organ needed.
• Blood type compatibility.
• Time spent awaiting transplant.
• Recipient's medical urgency.
• Immune system similarity between donor and recipient.

Organ Matching Process:

Steps:

• Organ donation.
• UNOS lists potential recipients.
• Transplant center notified.
• Organ processed for recipient.
• Organ acceptance or declination.

Organs distributed locally, regionally, or nationally based on recipient availability.

• Donors must be over 18 and undergo medical assessment.
• Conditions like HIV, serious infections, kidney or heart disease, and cancer may exclude donation.

• Living Donor: Family member or individual donating renewable cells, fluids, or tissues.
• Deceased Donor: Brain-dead individuals whose organs are suitable for transplantation.

• Affordability: Lower cost compared to other countries.
• Advanced Technology: Well-equipped hospitals with modern medical infrastructure.
• Experienced Surgeons: Skilled surgeons with high success rates.
• Reputed Hospitals: Hospitals like Max, Fortis, Apollo, and Medanta offer top-notch transplant services.