The Transplant Operation

Notification Of Transplant

The Co-ordinator will contact you when suitable donor organs are offered.. At this stage, often the final matching has not been completed, nor has a member of the transplant team assessed the organs, therefore it is possible that the operation will not go ahead.  Unfortunately because of the time restraints, it is often necessary to begin the preparing you for theatre before this information is all available.  Some people go through the difficult experience of a false start" so it is important to understand that it often happens and be prepared for such an event.  You will not be anaesthetised until we know the organs are satisfactory.

When the Coordinator calls you, he/she will discuss travel to the hospital and remind you that you should have nothing to eat or drink.  She will advise you where you will be met when you come to the hospital, which will normally be in the Emergency Department. Here you will have a chest x/ray and be taken to Ward 3CTC or Ward 5 East to prepare for theatre. Preparation for theatre takes approximately 2 hours but can be much quicker if necessary.  On arrival in the Ward, you will meet a nurse, and Hospital Medical Officer.  They will take a history and the doctor will examine you.  Some blood will be taken, you will be clipped and then have a shower.  Nose and throat swabs and a urine sample will also be taken.  You will be given some medication before being transferred to the operating theatre.

A member of the transplant team may accompany you into the operating theatre if you wish.  Your family may stay with you until you go to the theatre, then they will be directed to the waiting area or they may go home for a few hours to wait.

Operating Theatre

Anaesthesia

Tine permitting the Anaesthetist will see you in the ward pre operatively, otherwise, you will see him/her in theatre.  The anaesthetist will discuss the various procedures you may undergo before your anaesthetic. some aspects of the general anaesthetic and may also discuss aspects of your post operative care and the management of post operative pain.  Procedures which may be done by the anaesthetist before the general anaesthetic include:

• Placement of an Intravenous Infusion

• Arterial Line

• Central Venous Line

• Epidural

• The anaesthetist may also prescribe medications that include:
  -  Antacid to neutralise the acid in the stomach so that vomiting is less of a risk
  -  Anti nausea medication
  -  Sedation

Operative Procedure

The operation will generally take between five and eight hours.  When it is finished, the surgeon will visit your family if they are waiting in the hospital, or ring them at home to let them know the details of the operation. 

After the operation is finished you will be taken to the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit.

Heart Transplant Surgery

Lung Transplant Surgery