Organ Donation: “Life after death”
Donating an organ or a portion of an organ means allowing it to be transplanted into another person. For patients with terminal organ failures, organ transplantation is the only way to prolong their lives and enhance their quality of life. The discrepancy between the availability and demand for donated organs, however, results in the loss of many lives. The number of organ transplantations has significantly increased over the past 20 years. While these operations produce outstanding outcomes in children and young adults, the growing number of older transplant recipients who have co-morbid conditions presents a challenge. As a result of innovations and advancements in surgical management, the outcomes of organ transplantation continue to improve.