Transplantation Surgery

Our research includes both experimental and clinical research. The experimental research is focused on finding techniques for organ preservation* that allow the warm ischemic time** to be increased, which would enable more donors to become available for donation and minimize the shortage of organs.

Clinical research focuses on optimizing the immunosuppressive treatment***, both to improve short-term results and reduce unwanted side effects. Studies are also being conducted on new drugs aimed at preventing chronic rejection of transplanted organs.

The technique of machine perfusion of lungs has been evaluated, and a multicenter study of machine perfusion of the heart before transplantation will be led from the facility.

On the tumor side, isolated hyperthermic perfusion is being studied as a method of treating uveal melanoma (eye melanoma) in a randomized study.

The benefit of liver transplantation in colorectal (from small intestine to anal canal) liver metastases will also be evaluated within the framework of a randomized study.

Explanations

* That is, keeping removed organs alive outside the body before transplantation
** Warm ischemic time: When a person dies due to circulatory arrest, oxygenation in the body ceases, and warm ischemia begins immediately after death and lasts up to 1.5-2 hours. (Ischemia means oxygen deprivation)
*** In this case, drug treatment that inhibits the body’s immune system so that it does not reject the new organ.