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Organ Transplantation
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Transplantation Donation

Organ Transplantation

An organ transplant is a medical procedure used when an organ fails due to illness or injury, involving the replacement of the organ with one from a living or deceased donor.

Overview

When you have an organ transplant, doctors remove an organ from another person and place it in your body. This procedure may be necessary if one of your organs has failed due to illness or injury.

Organs Eligible for Transplantation

The following organs can be transplanted:

  • Heart
  • Intestine
  • Kidney
  • Liver
  • Lung
  • Pancreas

Management and Risks

Patients often face a long waiting period for an organ transplant. To reduce the risk of transplant rejection—a condition where your immune system attacks the new organ—doctors must carefully match donors to recipients.

If you undergo a transplant, you must take drugs for the rest of your life to help prevent your body from rejecting the new organ.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wait times vary significantly by region, blood type, and medical urgency. In many countries, the average wait for a kidney transplant ranges from three to five years, though some patients wait much longer. Patients with rare blood types or complex medical histories may face extended waits. To reduce wait times, patients can consider living donor transplants, which allow for scheduled surgery and often result in better long-term outcomes than deceased donor transplants.
Signs of rejection depend on the specific organ involved. For a kidney transplant, patients may notice decreased urine output, swelling in the legs or face, high blood pressure, or a rise in creatinine levels during blood tests. For a heart transplant, symptoms can include fatigue, shortness of breath, or chest pain. For a liver transplant, jaundice, itching, or abdominal pain may occur. It is crucial to report any new or worsening symptoms to the transplant team immediately, as early detection allows for timely adjustment of immunosuppressive medications.
While there is no single universal diet for all transplant recipients, certain dietary adjustments are often recommended. Patients may need to limit sodium to manage blood pressure, especially after kidney or heart transplants. Those with liver transplants may need to avoid alcohol and limit fat intake. Additionally, because immunosuppressive drugs can affect how the body processes certain foods, patients should consult their dietitian for personalized advice. Maintaining a balanced, nutrient-rich diet supports overall health and helps manage side effects of medication.
Traveling is generally possible after an organ transplant, but it requires careful planning. Patients should consult their transplant team before any trip to ensure they are medically stable and have adequate medication supplies. It is important to carry a letter from the doctor detailing the condition and medications, as some countries have strict rules regarding prescription drugs. Patients should also be cautious about food and water safety to avoid infections, which can be more severe due to immunosuppression, and should ensure they have access to medical care at their destination.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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