Even before a transplant, the patient’s suitability needs to be determined. Doctors perform tests on various parameters. Patients of heart disease, those with drug or alcohol dependence, infection, or any other serious health problems are considered unsuitable candidates. Some organs that can be replaced are:

 

 

Statistical studies state that transplant of organs has a success rate of between 80 and 90 percent. From live donors, a part of the liver or a kidney can be taken. Donation of a part of the liver does not affect donor health much, and people can function well enough even with one kidney. After donation, the liver regrows. Donation requires surgery, which has some inherent risks. Donation is more often by the family or friends of the transplant recipient.

 

Donation of most organs can even be done after the donor’s death. Donation is more frequent by patients hospitalized after an accident or stroke. After the death of a donor patient, donation is a possibility. Other than organs, tissues are also used for donation. Donation of skin tissue can be used for reconstruction after the surgery.    

 

After the liver, organs like heart, lungs, pancreas, bone marrow, and intestines are commonly transplanted. In a clinical study, researchers found that giving donor’s bone marrow to kidney recipient before the surgery, improved prognosis. The bone marrow helps produce cells effective in fighting against rejection and infection.

 

 

Statistics collected on the transplanting of organs depict startling results. These statistics helps to appreciate the collected numbers. Statistics are available on various organs used for transplants. These statistics show that the donated organs are insufficient to meet the great demand. In the U.S., statistics for the year 2011 show that more than 110,000 people were on the waiting list for various organs. Statistics also show that about 20 people die daily while still waiting for donations.

 

Kidneys are one of the most common parts transplanted. Statistics reveal that more than 16,000 kidney transplants were performed last year in the U.S. However, the statistics also show that more than 90,000 people were on the nationwide waiting list for a kidney donation in February 2011. The statistics on the liver, which is the second most common body part transplanted, revealed that more than 6,000 liver transplant surgeries were conducted in 2010.