ABSTRACT
The first successful kidney transplant was performed in 1954 by Dr. Joseph Murray in Boston. Since then, the field of organ transplantation has advanced rapidly. In 2002, more than 23,000 individuals received an organ transplant.1 Almost 125,000 patients have undergone successful kidney transplantation in the United States alone; the worldwide experience exceeds a quarter of million kidney transplants.2 The long-term survival after kidney transplantation is impressive: almost 70% of kidney transplant patients are alive 10 years after transplantation, and more that 50% of their primary grafts are still functioning.3 The first isolated pancreas transplant was performed by Dr. Lillihei in 1966 at the University of Minnesota. In 2003, 406 adults received a pancreas transplant. The 1-year patient survival among recipients of a pancreas (without kidney) is 99%; 1year graft survival is 81%.1 In patients who are undergoing simultaneous pancreas and kidney (SPK) transplants, 1-year patient survival is 92%; 1-year pancreas survival is 84%.1 Since the first liver transplant was performed by Dr. Starzl in 1963,4 liver transplantation has achieved incredible success, with over 3600 liver transplants being performed annually in United States with a 1-year patient survival of 80%.1 Heart transplants are now actively performed in more than 170 centers in United States, with a 1-year survival of more than 80% in lead centers.2 Lung transplants are increasingly being performed with 1-year survival rates of 70%.1 Advances in surgical techniques have broadened the indications for transplantation such that more patients have benefited. Combined advances in critical care immunosuppression are responsible for the vast improvements in allograft outcomes and, more importantly, prolonged patient survival.
