2023-05-16 20:55:00
It is essential to uncover the truth behind transplants to provide a clear and accurate perspective.
By: Mariana Mestizo Hernandez
Transplants are complex and fascinating medical procedures that have revolutionized modern medicine. These procedures involve the transfer of a healthy organ, tissue, or cell from a giving to a recipient suffering from a serious disease or dysfunction in the same organ.
Transplants can save lives, improve quality of life, and bring hope to those suffering from terminal or chronic illness. “Of a giving cadaveric disease, up to 57 different organs and tissues can be removed,” said Dr. Juan del Río, clinical director of the Center for Transplant of the Auxilio Mutuo Hospital and surgical director of transplant of liver.
However, the specialist explained that there are 7 organs that can be removed, which can be transplanted completely, such as: the lungs, the heart, the liver, the pancreas, the kidneys and the small intestine, “recently there has been talk of the transplant of the uterus and so on, but they are not procedures to save the life of a patientThey are different,” he said.
On the other hand, some of the tissues that can be transplanted are: heart valves, tendons, ligaments, bone mass among others, “the amount that is extracted from a single giving It’s huge,” he added.
Myths and realities around transplants
There are several myths due to the little information that some people have on the subject, therefore, the expert clarifies some of them.
Donors are not as important as patients: false
“Most donors have irreversible brain death, these criteria are very restrictive to define it, it is something that requires waiting and confirmation of the diagnosis for the entire donation process,” explained Dr. Del Río.
People with tattoos cannot donate blood, tissues and organs: false
The specialist clarifies that there are currently perfect immunological tests, where it can be determined if there is a risk of infection from the use of needles, as in the case of tattoos. “The risk of transmission is very low,” he added.
See the complete program.
Age is limiting to donate: false
“I once went to Florida for a giving 95 years old, I removed the liver and used it in a patient 57 years old with hours to live, 4 years have passed since I left New York and he is still alive, age is not the limit,” said the doctor.
The donor must have a totally healthy lifestyle: false
He giving must be duly evaluated before carrying out any type of transplant“there are people who have drunk for almost all their lives, their livers are in perfect condition for transplanteach person is different and each case is evaluated,” said Dr. Del Río.
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Transplants from people prone to cancer are a risk factor in patients: it depends
In the first instance, the doctor pointed out that transplants are never done from donors who have cancer, the probability rate of developing some type of cancer condition is low, however, the results are individual.
Transplants have priority in children than in older adults: true
The expert indicated that age is an important factor in the distribution, children do have a certain priority, however, it also depends on the age of the givingbecause there must be a similar age in both people.
Which patients are eligible for transplants?
“In my area of experience, patients with abdominal organ disease, in terms of liver disease there has been an evolution in recent years, for example, hepatitis C, now there is a cure that has reduced the number of patients,” he said. Dr. Del Rio.
However, he emphasized that liver diseases such as fatty liver, which has had a higher incidence in recent years, is attributed to bad habits and the large number of patients with obesity in the world.
“When fat accumulates in the liver, it is as corrosive as alcohol, it can cause cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease,” added the expert.
On the other hand, he explained that the majority of patients who require a transplant of kidneys, they are generally people who suffer from diabetes and hypertension, which in turn, are conditions related to metabolic syndrome and obesity.
“Most pathologies that require transplants derive from the situation in which we live socially, economically and nutritionally,” said the specialist.
Puerto Rico at donation levels
“Puerto Rico has come to be in the top 5 worldwide between 2007 and 2008 (at the level of donations), this has been decreasing a bit, especially as the population ages, however, globally, we have a good number of donors and at the Auxilio Mutuo Hospital we carry out a volume of transplants in accordance with the population of the island,” explained the doctor.
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Transplant patient route
The expert emphasizes that there is a route to recognize when the patient requires a transplant.
Primary medicine: it is essential that the patient get regular checkups to identify chronic illnesses, this could lead to an early diagnosis and reduce the chances of needing a transplant. In case of finding serious conditions, the specialist should send it to the transplant center.
Transplant Center: Several referrals are received, however, it is there where decisions must be made as to which patients can benefit from a transplant.
Assessment: the relevant tests should be carried out in order to check the condition in general.
Waiting list: depends on the organ and the conditions of the patientthe waiting time may vary.
“The process is long and often tedious, patients despair, but certainty is needed so that when it reaches the evaluation committee it can be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and the best decision made,” said the specialist.
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