6 most common organ transplants in the world

Organ recipients often receive more than one organ at the same time. For example, the number of kidney/pancreas transplants (21,727) between January 1, 1988, and June 30, 2016, is greater than the number of pancreas transplants alone (8,235). According to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), about 669,556 organs were transplanted in the United States within the same period. And although the numbers seem large, there are about 120,19 people who currently need organ transplants.

Here are the six most common organ transplants in the world.

1. Kidney

The kidneys are the most commonly transplanted organ. In 2011, there were 11,835 deceased-donor kidney transplants and 5772 living-donor transplants.

Kidney transplantation is performed to treat people with end-stage renal disease or kidney failure. Commonly, such kidney failure is due to diabetes or severe hypertension. 

2. Liver

The number of liver transplants between January 1, 1988, and June 30, 2016, was 143,856.

As with kidney transplantation, livers can come from live donors. Deceased organ liver donations usually come from brain-dead donors who are younger than 60. The deceased donor must meet certain criteria, including no liver damage due to trauma or diseases like hepatitis.

3. Heart

The number of heart transplants between January 1, 1988, and June 30, 2016, was 64,085.

It took more than 200 years for advances in both our understanding of immunology and improvements in surgery to open the door for a heart transplant. The first heart transplant was done in Cape Town, South Africa in 1967 by a surgeon named Dr. Christiaan Barnard.

4. Lung

Ever since 1985, more than 40,000 lung transplants have been performed worldwide. Lung transplantation is done in people with end-stage lung disease that isn’t cancerous.

The number of lung transplants between January 1, 1988, and June 30, 2016, was 32,224.

5. Pancreas 

The first pancreas transplant was performed by William Kelly and Richard Lillehei at the University of Minnesota in 1966. Since then, more than 25,000 pancreas transplants have been performed in the United States and more than 35,000 worldwide.

6. Intestine

Transplantation of the intestine is a complex procedure. However, in recent years, this procedure has gained popularity in the treatment of short bowel syndrome. SBS is a condition wherein people can’t absorb enough water, calories, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, e.t.c.