Definition
Transplantation is the transplantation of organic material. This can be organs, but also other cells or tissues, such as skin, or whole body parts. The transplant can either come from the patient himself or from another person.
A distinction is made between living donation and post-mortem organ donation, whereby living donations are only permitted from close relatives. Transplantation is necessary if the organ in question is irretrievably unable to function. For patients to whom this applies, transplantation is often the only chance of survival.
There is much more demand for donor organs than available organs, so there must be clear rules on how donor organs are distributed. In Germany this is regulated by the Transplantation Act. In order to receive a donor organ, the patient must be put on a waiting list by his treating physician.
Ranks and thus donor organs are assigned according to the urgency and the chances of success. There are several organizations in Europe that arrange post-mortem donor organs throughout Europe. In Germany there is an organ donor card. This gives you the opportunity to decide before you die whether you want to act as a donor or refuse to have your organs removed. After a successful organ transplantation, the patient must take certain drugs, so-called immunosuppressants, which suppress a rejection reaction, regularly throughout his or her life.
What is to be considered?
After the transplantation it is necessary to keep regular follow-up appointments. These serve to identify possible late effects or reactions and to do something about them. Immediately after the operation, it is important that the doctor informs the patient about how he/she will have to deal with the transplant in everyday life and which medications he/she will have to take regularly.
These include immunosuppressive drugs that ensure that the transplant remains functional and is not rejected by the body’s own defense system. Regular check-ups allow the medications to be optimally adjusted. This immunosuppressive therapy also suppresses the body’s own defence against infections.
Transplant recipients are therefore particularly susceptible to bacterial and viral diseases. Immediately after the operation, care must be taken to ensure that the freshly operated patients are optimally protected against germs. A mouthguard to prevent the transmission of bacteria by droplet infection is recommended. If signs of infection appear, a doctor should be consulted immediately, as these can be very serious for the patient.
