Transplant

History of Excellence

Organ transplantation began here. In 1904, a University of Chicago doctor performed the first animal organ transplant, which later earned him the Nobel prize. We continue to strive to be a world leader in organ transplantation.

Several transplant firsts occurred here. We were the first in the world to perform a successful living-donor liver transplant and heart-liver-kidney transplant. We were the first in the United States to perform segmental (reduced size) and split-liver transplants. We were the first hospital in Illinois to perform a pancreas transplant, and our center continues to pioneer pancreas transplantation as a promising treatment for type 1 diabetes.

Personalized Care at Every Step

We may perform a large number of transplants, but we are dedicated to every one of our patients. During the months leading up to transplant surgery, each patient is assigned to a pre-transplant coordinator — a registered nurse with a special expertise in transplant care. Your pre-transplant coordinator will arrange all of your tests and consultations. She or he is your personal advocate and is always there to address any questions or concerns.

We follow patients very carefully after transplant. All patients visit our Post-Transplant Clinic for regular check ups. In between visits, patients can always reach one of our post-transplant nurses by phone or page any time of the day or night.

Transplant Research & Innovation

University of Chicago researchers continue to improve transplant care through promising research in several areas.

Our physicians have been pioneers in the development of a biomechanical liver support device that is currently in developmental trials. The goal of these trials is to produce the first approved device to help support a failing liver.

We offer new techniques for matching donor kidneys with recipients, including the use of a highly sensitive fluorescence activated cell sorter. This machine uses advanced technology to help ensure a good match between donor and recipient. Our center is collaborating with several other centers in the Midwest to develop a kidney exchange program to identify patients who have living donors that they are not compatible with who might be able to successfully “swap” kidneys.

Transplant Immunology

The University of Chicago has a long tradition of pioneering breakthrough immunosuppressive therapies, which has helped us achieve some of the highest graft acceptance rates in the country. Our physicians and researchers are considered leaders in immunosuppression — the prevention and treatment of organ rejection. They have helped develop and refine many important anti-rejection medications, including OKT3, which was a mainstay immunosuppression drug for more than a decade.

Clinical trials of new methods of immunosuppression and other aspects of transplant care are always under way at UChicago Medicine. Voluntary participation in clinical trials is available to many patients undergoing treatment here.

World-Renowned Specialists

Before and after your transplant, you have access to hundreds of knowledgeable experts at the University of Chicago Medicine. Once you or your loved one becomes a transplant patient here, you enter a world-class medical center that can take care of all your medical needs. UChicago Medicine is home to some of the world’s most respected specialists in diabetes, kidney disease, cancer, heart disease, digestive disorders, transplant and more.

Experts in Retransplant Surgery

Our transplant team is highly experienced in performing retransplant surgery — also called redo transplant — for patients who have already had a transplant and now need another transplant to replace a previously donated organ. Retransplant patients require more careful management than first-time transplant patients because the body is more likely to reject an organ after a second or third transplant.