Multi-organ transplant

Organ transplant is surgery that replaces a diseased organ, such as a kidney or liver, with a healthy organ from a donor. A multi-organ transplant replaces more than one organ at one time. Sometimes more than two organs can be transplanted. For some transplants, the diseased organ is left in place.

Examples of multi-organ transplants include:

• Heart and lung.
• Pancreas and kidney.
• Liver and heart.
• Liver, small bowel, and pancreas.

Usually the organs are transplanted from the same donor. This helps lower the risk that your body will reject the new organs.

In some cases, doctors may choose to replace only one of the unhealthy organs with a transplanted organ. This is done when the new organ may help improve the function of the other diseased one. If the other organ doesn't get better, then it can also be replaced with a new organ.

Your doctor or a transplant center will do tests to see if a transplant will work well for you. This will depend on things like your age, your weight, and whether you have certain risks, such as a medical condition. If your tests show that a transplant is a good option for you, you'll be put on a waiting list to receive new organs.

Choosing a transplant center

Your doctor can refer you to an organ transplant center. You can get information about different centers and talk with your doctor about your best option. When choosing a transplant center, consider things like cost and payment options, location and travel, and family support. Find out what types of organ transplants are offered. Learn as much as you can about each center.

This surgery is done when more than one organ (such as the heart, lung, kidney, or pancreas) is diseased or failing and other treatments haven't worked. Doctors can transplant the organs at the same time, rather than doing separate surgeries.

Organ transplants are more successful today than ever before. How successful the transplant is depends on:

• Which organs are transplanted.
• How many organs are transplanted. For example, some transplants involve more than two organs.
• The disease that has caused your organ to fail.
• Your overall health. After the transplant, it's important to keep a healthy lifestyle. This includes eating healthy foods and being active. Don't smoke. And try to limit alcohol. If you're getting a liver transplant, do not drink alcohol.
• Whether you take your medicines as prescribed.
• Finding and treating organ rejection early. This makes it more likely that your transplanted organs will stay healthy. That's why it's important to go to follow-up appointments and get tests.