For almost all organ transplant patients, the benefits of transplant surgery far outweigh the risks. Most of the people needing an organ may die or may live a much shorter life without a transplant procedure. However, organ transplant surgeries are risky procedures, especially as those who need these surgeries are often very sick.

Some of the risks associated with organ transplant surgery include:

1. Organ Rejection
2. Organ Failure
3. Complications linked to the use of anesthesia, including death
4. Postsurgical complications, such as infection
5. Bleeding or other complications during the procedure
6. Higher risk of infections and other sicknesses due to anti-rejection or other transplant-related drugs

Regardless of the type of transplant were recommended to undergo – living or cadaveric – you may need special evaluation tests before the transplant procedure. Sometimes, additional tests specific to your personal health and care situation are needed. Based on any results of the testing, you may also need further investigations

1. Physical Assessment: Physical examination and a complete medical and surgical history
2. Chest X-ray: A radiographic image of your lungs which determines your lungs’ health and lowers your respiratory tract and ensure you don’t have ld infections that may get worse after transplant
3. Cardiac Stress Test: This shows how well your heart is working under stress.
4. Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG): This test evaluates electrical system of your heart that controls rate and rhythm, and will reveal heart damage which was not detected previously.
5. Echocardiogram: An ultrasound of your heart that will reveal how well your heart ‘pumps’.
6. Blood Tests: to determine the kind of blood and tissue you have. These test results help donor organ to match a donor organ to your body. These tests also provide with the information about your past exposure to specific viruses

When you are scheduled for a transplantation procedure, you and your family will surely have a lot of questions—before, during and after the surgery. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions you may have at any time, for any reason. Remember, there is no such thing as a ‘dumb’ or ‘silly’ question.

Following are a few sample questions that you may ask regarding Transplantation. You may probably have others, feel free to ask any questions, at any time, for any reason.

1. Do I have choices other than transplantation?
2. What are my risks of transplantation?
3. What does my evaluation process include?
4. Does the evaluation process affect whether or not I am put on organ transplant waiting list?
5. How do I get on the organ transplant waiting list?
6. Will my transplant team update me on the status of my waiting list?
7. What are the patient survival rates for my type of transplant at Apollo Hospitals and how does it compare to other hospitals?
8. How does the medical team decide whether or not to accept a particular organ for me?
9. How many members are there in my transplant team and what are their jobs?
10. Who will tell me about the transplant process?
11. Is there a special nursing unit for transplant patients?
12. Do you know of any support groups/communities for patients or families?
13. Specifically for living kidney donors – Does my surgeon use laparoscopic surgical procedure? Who can explain that procedure to me? What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Any patient who has undergone major surgery, including organ transplantation, may experience post-operative complications. In the first few weeks following a transplantation surgery, most of the patients experience some kind of complication including:

1. Wound Problems
2. Infection: Transplant patients are at a higher risk of infection as they are kept on immunosuppressants, which weakens immune system and the ability to fight infection
3. Organ rejection is the most common complication that may develops over a short period of time, a few days or few weeks. This risk is highest during the first 2 - 3 months.
4. Diabetes: Some of the prescribed anti-rejection medicines post-transplant surgery may cause diabetes

There are things you can do to decrease your risk of rejection including other complications:

1. Take your medicines on time as directed
2. Talk to youtr medical team to learn about the early warning signs of rejection or other complications
3. Attend all scheduled doctor and clinic visits