Organ Transplantation

The Organ Transplantation Department is dedicated to providing life-saving treatment for patients with end-stage organ failure. This specialty focuses on diagnosing, managing, and performing organ and tissue transplants to restore function, improve quality of life, and prolong survival.

At Medical Park Hospitals, we offer comprehensive organ transplantation services. Our experienced multidisciplinary team ensures personalized care for each patient, from evaluation to post-transplant follow-up.

Which Organs and Tissues Can Be Transplanted?

The most commonly transplanted organs and tissues include kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas, bone marrow, cornea, bone, and small intestines.

Who Can Donate Organs?

Organs for transplantation are obtained from living donors (usually relatives up to the fourth degree) or from deceased donors (cadavers). For example, healthy corneas or kidneys can be collected from individuals who passed away due to heart disease and transplanted to patients with blindness or kidney failure. A healthy life for patients with severe heart, liver, or kidney failure is often only possible through organ transplantation.

Currently, the demand for donated organs far exceeds supply. In Turkey, there are over 40,000 dialysis patients, most aged 20–40 or middle-aged. Dialysis requires sessions lasting 3–4 hours, three times per week, which significantly affects social life. Renal transplantation not only eliminates this dependency but also extends lifespan. Patients with advanced heart or liver failure often have no alternative therapies, and without a transplant, survival is limited.

Is Organ Transplantation an Effective Treatment?

Organ transplantation prolongs life, improves quality of life, and is cost-effective compared to treatments like dialysis. It reduces dependency, restores productivity, and contributes to the health and economy of society. Many patients live for decades post-transplant, resuming normal family, work, and social lives.

Renal transplantation involves surgically placing a new kidney into the patient’s body to restore kidney function and enable survival and daily activity. This method can be a bridge until a suitable organ is available or a permanent solution if no other treatment is possible.

Common Misconceptions About Renal Transplantation

• Age: Any outpatient can potentially be a transplant candidate. Comprehensive evaluations determine suitability, and only a very small number are contraindicated.
• Hepatitis B or C: Transplantation is now possible for patients with Hepatitis B or C. After additional testing, our team has successfully performed transplants in 90% of these cases.
• Diabetes Mellitus: Approximately one-third of kidney transplants are performed in patients with diabetes. Renal transplantation alleviates the organ damage caused by diabetes, with transplant kidneys functioning effectively for 15–20 years.
• Tissue Incompatibility: Advances in transplantation have reduced the significance of tissue compatibility. Even a donor with 0% tissue match can provide a kidney that functions well for many years.
• Blood Group Incompatibility: Cross-over transplantation allows patients with incompatible blood groups to receive transplants successfully. In 2.5 years, this method has helped dozens of patients in İzmir and Istanbul restore their health.

Who Can Donate a Kidney?

Kidney donors can be living relatives up to the fourth degree or deceased donors. This allows patients with kidney disease to achieve independence from dialysis and significantly improve their quality of life.

This content was developed by the Medical Park Editorial Board and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider for personalized care.