Patients with a Solid Organ Transplant

Abstract

Patients with solid organ transplants are living longer, are increasing in number, and frequently undergo surgery that is unrelated to their transplant. These patients may be many years out from transplantation, and while they still may require specialty care, they are often primarily managed by generalists. The perioperative medicine consultant should have a working knowledge of care of such patients.

Having a solid organ transplant does not automatically confer a higher risk of complications for non-transplant-related surgery. There is evidence that abdominal solid organ transplant recipients can safely undergo elective cardiac surgery. Diverticular surgery may have similar risk to non-transplant patients if elective, but higher risk if urgent.