Transplantasjons

Transplantasjons, commonly referred to as transplantation, is the medical procedure of transferring organs, tissues, or cells from a donor to a recipient to replace damaged or failing body parts. The term is used in several Nordic languages as transplantasjon or transplantasjons. Transplantations can involve organs such as kidneys, liver, heart, lungs, pancreas, or intestines, as well as tissues (corneas, bones, skin, tendons) and hematopoietic cells (bone marrow or stem cells).

Donors may be living or deceased. In addition to allogeneic transfers (donor and recipient are different individuals), autologous transplants use the patient’s own tissue or cells; syngeneic transplants involve identical twins; xenogeneic transplants use animal sources, though the latter are mostly experimental.

Before transplantation, recipients undergo medical evaluation. Matching depends on organ type, particularly blood type and, for organs, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) compatibility. Organ allocation is typically managed by national or regional bodies based on urgency, waiting time, and compatibility. The procedure involves surgical implantation and ongoing immunosuppression to prevent rejection, along with monitoring for infection and other complications.

Outcomes vary by organ and patient factors. Improvements in immunosuppressive therapy have increased survival but carry risks such as infection and drug toxicity. Ethical issues include informed consent and the fair allocation of scarce organs, with living donation raising considerations about donor safety and autonomy.

Research directions include xenotransplantation, regenerative strategies, and better methods to induce tolerance.