KFSHRC conducts 1,092 organ transplants in a year

SAUDI ARABIA—King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC) has announced a remarkable achievement in organ transplantation, successfully conducting 1,092 transplants over the past year.

Among these groundbreaking procedures was the world’s first full robotic liver transplant from a living donor.

This innovative operation utilized cutting-edge robotic technology in both the organ retrieval and transplant phases, highlighting the hospital’s commitment to advancing medical practices.

The achievement comes during a period when KFSHRC stands out for its qualitative advancements in organ transplantation.

Its Organ Transplant Centre of Excellence (OTCoE) has earned a prestigious reputation for expertise in solid organ transplants, including liver, kidney, and lung procedures.

 This exceptional centre recently concluded its efforts by performing the world’s first full robotic heart transplant, thereby reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a leader in global healthcare.

 KFSHRC’s pioneering spirit continues to innovate medical practices, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and experiences.

As a Platinum Sponsor at the Global Health Exhibition, which will take place in Riyadh from October 21 to 23, KFSHRC will showcase its extensive four-decade journey in organ transplantation.

Since establishing its Organ Transplant Program in 1981, the hospital has performed approximately 9,000 successful transplants, making it a significant player in this critical area of healthcare.

In addition to its surgical successes, KFSHRC has demonstrated excellence in addressing challenges related to donor-patient compatibility, particularly in kidney transplants.

The hospital has implemented a pioneering Kidney-Paired Donation (KPD) program, which facilitates the exchange of living donors whose blood types and tissues are incompatible with their intended recipients.

This innovative approach provides more opportunities for patients awaiting transplants.

The KPD program, which involves the simultaneous removal and transplantation of multiple kidneys, has significantly accelerated the matching process, reduced waiting times, and enabled KFSHRC to perform over 5,000 kidney transplants since the center’s inception.

Moreover, the OTCoE’s achievements extend beyond surgical procedures into the realm of prevention and specialized patient care.

 In 2023, KFSHRC established a specialized Vaccination Clinic for solid organ transplant recipients.

This clinic offers customized vaccination plans tailored to each patient’s immune status and type of transplant, effectively reducing the risk of infections that could compromise transplant outcomes.

 The clinic has served 150 patients in less than a year, showcasing its commitment to comprehensive patient care.

One of the clinic’s noteworthy successes is administering the “Shingrix” vaccine to organ transplant patients.

The first dose achieved an impressive 73% compliance rate, and 55% of patients returned for the second dose.

These initiatives demonstrate KFSHRC’s leadership in organ transplantation and reflect its dedication to the ongoing health and well-being of its patients.

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