Lungs are considered the hardest organ to transplant.
Why are Lungs the Hardest to Transplant?
Several factors contribute to the difficulty of lung transplants:
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High Susceptibility to Infection: As noted in a May 23, 2019 article from the University of Chicago Medicine, "Lungs are the most difficult organ to transplant because they are highly susceptible to infections in the late stages of the donor's life." This makes finding suitable donor lungs a significant challenge. The delicate nature of lung tissue increases the risk of infection during and after the procedure.
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Complex Surgical Procedure: Lung transplantation is a highly complex and technically demanding surgical procedure, requiring specialized surgical expertise. The intricate network of blood vessels and airways in the lungs makes the surgery delicate and potentially risky.
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Post-operative Complications: Even with successful surgery, post-operative complications, such as rejection, infection, and bleeding, are common and can be life-threatening. The lungs' vital role in respiration makes complications particularly severe.
While other organs, such as the heart and liver, also present significant challenges in transplantation, the combination of susceptibility to infection, complex surgery, and higher risk of post-operative complications makes lung transplantation the most difficult. The heart, for example, is described as the "hardest-working muscle in the body" https://www.midamericatransplant.org/news/what-are-6-organs-can-be-donated, highlighting its importance but not necessarily its transplantation difficulty compared to the lungs.
