• Overview: Involves transplanting organs from a donor to a recipient to replace damaged organs.

Organ Transplant

• Definition: The replacement of damaged tissues or organs in humans with healthy ones from a donor.

Graft

• Definition: A part of tissue or organ that is transplanted from a donor to a recipient.

Transplantable Parts

• Skin, eyes, heart, spleen, liver, kidneys, reproductive organs.
• Procedure: A tissue or organ from a donor is severed and transplanted onto a properly prepared surface of the recipient.

Factors to Consider Before Organ Transplant

1. Compatibility

• Genetic Closeness: The donor and recipient should be closely related and of the same species.

1. Antibody and Antigen Compatibility

• Avoid antigen-antibody reactions to prevent rejection.

1. Drug

• Use drugs to prevent rejection without significantly affecting the recipient’s immune system.

1. Blood Group

• The donor and recipient should have the same blood group to avoid agglutination (clumping).

1. Nutritional Status

• Ensure adequate protein intake to support healing in the recipient.

1. Consent

• Obtain consent from the willing donor and their close relatives.

1. Availability of Immune Suppressive Drugs

• Examples: Immunosuppressants like cyclosporine, corticosteroids.
• These drugs help prevent rejection but should not overly suppress the recipient’s immune system.

1. Assessment of Health Status

• Evaluate the mental, physical, psychological, and overall health of both the donor and recipient to minimize side effects.

Examples of Organ Transplants

1. Heart Transplant
   • Procedure: Replace a failing heart with a donor heart.
   • Steps: Remove the donor heart, divide it if needed, and attach the blood vessels to the recipient’s heart.
2. Skin Transplant
   • Considerations: The graft must match the recipient in texture and color.
   • Procedure: Ensure a proper blood supply and sterilize the surface to prevent infection.
3. Kidney Transplant
   • Procedure: Remove a kidney from a donor and transplant it to the recipient.
   • Considerations: Donor should be a close relative with compatible tissue.
   • Drugs: Use immunosuppressants like interferon, prednisone, and azathioprine.
   • Type: The graft is called an autograft if from the same individual.
4. Cornea Transplant
   • Procedure: Replace damaged corneal tissue with healthy donor tissue.
   • Purpose: To improve sight, relieve pain, or treat severe damage or infection.