South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde
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The Wits Transplant Unit performed its first paediatric liver transplant in 2005. Initial experiences from the unit were published in 2012 and 2014. Since then, significant progress has been made in capacity-building the unit, improving outcomes and enhancing service delivery. ⋯ Living donor, split and ABO incompatible liver transplants have been incorporated in response to the severe organ shortage in South Africa. However, our outcomes can be improved. Additionally, a national transplant initiative to coordinate timeous referrals and expand access to liver transplantation for children with severe acute and chronic liver failure is advised.
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Heart transplantation in South Africa faces numerous challenges related to organ scarcity and unequal access to advanced heart therapy. There is an urgent need to analyse the current transplant referral pathway to optimise equitable access to transplantation. ⋯ Three-quarters of the referred patients were deemed unsuitable for heart transplantation for medical and/or social reasons. The ratio of referral to listing has decreased over time. However, once listed, the likelihood of receiving a transplant was high.
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Case Reports
ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation using immunoadsorption columns: First experiences in South Africa.
ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation gives patients with chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis and without a blood group-compatible donor an alternative option for a kidney transplant. ⋯ Glycosorb ABO IA is an effective technique in enabling ABO-incompatible living-donor kidney transplants to be performed successfully in a South African setting.