Elimensiirtoja

Elimensiirtoja, often translated as organ transplantation, is a medical procedure where a failing or damaged organ is replaced with a healthy organ from another person, known as a donor. This life-saving treatment is typically performed when other medical interventions are no longer effective. Organs that can be transplanted include kidneys, livers, hearts, lungs, and pancreases, among others.

The process involves a complex network of medical professionals, including surgeons, immunologists, and transplant coordinators. Potential recipients are placed on a waiting list, and organ allocation is based on factors such as medical urgency, blood type, tissue compatibility, and geographical proximity. Donors can be either deceased or living. Living donors typically donate an organ that can be partially or fully replaced by the body, such as a kidney or a lobe of the liver.

Following transplantation, recipients must take immunosuppressant medications for the rest of their lives to prevent their immune system from rejecting the new organ. While organ transplantation has a high success rate, potential risks include infection, organ rejection, and side effects from the medications. Ongoing research continues to improve transplant outcomes and expand the availability of organs.