Transplantology is a branch of medicine that provides tissues or organs transplantation from donor (person from which organs or tissues are taken) to recipient (person in which organs or tissues are transplanted). Transplantation is an operation on implanting and replacement of missing or irreversibly damaged tissues or organs (losing the capability to perform its functions) in recipient by the intact, healthy and physiologically properly functioning tissues or organs taken from donor.
The types of transplantation are:
- Autotransplantation: the donor and the recipient are the same person. For example, transplantation of skin in case of severe burns, or transplantation of bone marrow after high dose of antitumor chemotherapy.
- Isotranplantation: the donor and the recipient are identical twins, which means they are genetically and immunologically identical.
- Allotransplantation: the donor and the recipient are genetically and immunologically non-identical humans. This type of transplantation is the most common used.
- Xenotransplantation: the donor is an organism of another biological species (animal).
Transplantation services:
- Kidney transplantation
- Liver transplantation
- Heart transplantation
- Pancreas transplantation
- Bone marrow transplantation
- Skin transplantation
- Lung transplantation
- Corneal transplantation
Before the operation, the donor and recipient immune system data is carefully studied and compared to establish compatibility and prevent possible complications.
Despite the measures taken to select the most genetically congenial donor for each recipient, it is impossible to achieve a complete genotype identity so there is always a risk of rejection reaction, which is and inflammatory affection of a transplanted organ caused by a specific response of the recipient's immune system to donor’s antigens in the transplant. To decrease the risk of tissue rejection recipient should take immunosuppression medications. These drugs reduce his or her immune system function, so it is highly important to consider the increased risk of infectious postoperative complications.
Receiving an organ transplant is a gift that requires great care after the surgery and a lifelong commitment to healthy living to ensure that the organ lasts as long as possible. After transplant, healthy eating and physical activity is important for healing and overall health, as it can help to maintain a healthy weight, keep your bones strong and lower your risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure. The doctor individualizes the post-transplant diet and physical activity. A woman of reproductive age who has received a transplant should not plan to get pregnant until her physicians have approved pregnancy. Generally, women are asked to wait 6-12 months after her transplant before becoming pregnant. Her doctors will discuss which anti-rejection medications can cause fetal harm and should be avoided before trying to get pregnant. Many transplant recipients have had successful pregnancies. Medical team always talks with the patient about the medicines he/she should take after the transplantation, its amount and any possible side effects. Recipient must know that taking the anti-rejection drugs is necessary through the whole lifetime; he/she should never skip or stop taking the drugs. It is essential to make routine clinical visits and tests to be sure that transplanted organ is working properly and the medications are being taken in the correct dosage.
