transplantationrelated

Transplantation-related medicine covers the medical, surgical, and ethical practices involved in transferring living or deceased donor tissues or organs to a recipient to restore or sustain biological function. The field includes solid organ transplantation (such as kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas), hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and various tissue transplants (for example cornea, bone, skin, and vascularized composite tissue). Grafts may originate from living donors, deceased donors, or, in experimental contexts, other species.

Key components of transplantation care include recipient evaluation, donor evaluation, and organ allocation. Matching typically considers blood type compatibility, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) compatibility, crossmatching results, and anatomical fit. Allocation systems aim to balance medical urgency, likelihood of success, and fairness, while preserving donor anonymity and consent. Preoperative preparation, surgical procedures, and postoperative monitoring are followed by long-term management.

Immunology is central to transplantation. Graft rejection can be hyperacute, acute, or chronic and is countered with immunosuppressive regimens that may include calcineurin inhibitors, antiproliferative agents, and steroids. Immunosuppression carries risks such as infection, cardiovascular disease, nephrotoxicity, and increased malignancy risk, requiring ongoing monitoring and individualized therapy. Rejection surveillance often combines laboratory tests, imaging, and sometimes biopsies.

Outcomes have improved markedly for many graft types, but organ shortages, access disparities, and ethical considerations remain important. Research in transplantation seeks tolerance induction to reduce or eliminate the need for lifelong immunosuppression, advances in organ preservation, and development of regenerative and bioengineered alternatives.