Organ Transplants Worldwide

Surgeons have been trying to transplant various parts of the body for thousands of years. Since the first successful kidney transplant surgery in 1954, organ transplant technology has come a long way; dramatically increasing survival rates and extending transplant possibilities far beyond what scientists first imagined. In the United States alone, 21,354 organ transplants were performed in 2011, according to Donate Life America. However, today there are more than 100,000 men, women and children are waiting for an organ transplant. Because of the long waiting times associated with organ transplantation, many patients choose to undergo transplant surgery in other countries; for many, this is a life or death decision to make. This concept of transplant tourism has been around for decades, but recently it has gained international attention for being a safe, affordable option for organ transplant patients.

Organ transplantation is defined as the surgical replacement of a failed, damaged or missing organ. This type of surgery might be necessary due to illnesses like cancer, kidney disease and liver disease, a severe injury, or a congenital birth defect like cystic fibrosis. The types of organ and tissue donation available today includes heart, lung, kidney, liver, pancreas, intestine, stomach, testicles, hand, cornea, skin, bone marrow, blood, blood vessels, heart valves, and bone. By international standards, organ donors are required to be living or brain dead. The donor’s status also depends on the type of organ or tissue to be transplanted. For example, healthy living donors are good candidates to donate renewable tissues like blood, skin, bone marrow, and also partial organs such as kidney, liver, and small intestine. Deceased donors are eligible to donate organs to multiple recipients; as long as they are healthy enough to meet transplant standards. Because of the growing demand for donor organs worldwide, transplant tourism destinations have been thriving, offering waiting patients a life-saving surgery for a fraction of the cost. Organ transplants in Turkey and Malaysia are two very safe, high-quality destinations for medical tourist in search of a quicker, less expensive alternative. Regardless of which type of transplant needed, patients must research the location before traveling. Experts recommend looking into the transplant hospital’s quality standards and accreditation. Patients should also research their potential surgeon and support team to ensure they are qualified and experienced, as well as the legal aspects of organ transplantation in the destination you plan to travel to. Finally, if a destination like Istanbul or Kuala Lumpur is chosen for organ transplantation, patients are advised to arrange aftercare support, as recovery after organ transplantation is equally as important as the surgery itself.

Depending on the organ or tissue needed, the cost of organ transplants varies greatly. However, this type of surgical procedure is among the most expensive in the world, with prices in the United States ranging from $25,000 to more than $350,000. Traveling for organ transplants abroad can save patients a significant amount of money. In certain locations, the cost of organ transplant is anywhere from 20 to 60 percent less than average prices in the United States. To learn more about organ transplant options, find an organ transplant surgeon worldwide.