Transplantation

The University of Minnesota trains more transplant surgeons than any other medical school in the United States -- and it stands to reason.   For more than 45 years, we've been a mecca for pioneers in organ transplant surgery. 

Our surgeons provide kidney, pancreas, heart, lung, liver, intestinal,  islet cell and combination transplants in adults.  Our pediatricians perform heart, kidney, liver, and intestinal transplants in children.

The University of Minnesota Medical School has a reputation for conducting transplant surgery in some of the most delicate patients, including the very young and very old. Our surgeons offer hope and healing to patients -- and many times, they are the only ones who can.

Witnessing some of the most complex cases is one reason we're  a top training site for future transplant surgeons. In fact, we are home to the nation’s first  transplant fellowship program.

Reducing the wait

For those waiting for an organ transplant, time is precious.

That's why we’ve put an emphasis on finding new ways to increase the supply of organs available, including:

• bio-artificial organs
• living-donor transplants -- for which we have one of the highest success rates in the nation
• anonymous living donors

In 1999, Medical School doctors performed the nation’s first kidney transplant using an anonymous living donor.  In July 2010, another anonymous donor kicked off a “domino donation” process in which five people received new kidneys.

To date, we’ve performed more than 10,000 transplants.