Transplants
Definition
A transplant is the surgical placement of tissue or an organ from one part of the body to another or from one individual to another. Some tissues and organs, for example kidneys and parts of livers, can be donated by living humans. Others are donated only after clinical death has occurred.
Causes
A transplant may be considered when a patient's vital organ has permanently lost function. There are many causes and diseases resulting in organ failure.
Treatment
Each prospective recipient is carefully tested to determine eligibility for a transplant. Transplant patients take many medications after the transplant to prevent their body from rejecting the organ.
Comments
There are long waiting lists for organ transplants.
Related Links
National Library of MedicineThe National Library of Medicine presents information and pictures about Transplants.