At the heart of Saudi Arabias remarkable medical advancements, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) stands out with a series of qualitative achievements in organ transplantation, according to a KFSHRC press release.
KFSHRCs Organ Transplant Centre of Excellence (OTCoE) has earned a prestigious position for its expertise in solid organ transplants, including liver, kidney, and lung transplants. In the past year, the hospital successfully conducted 1,092 transplants, including the world
s first full robotic liver transplant from a living donor, utilizing robotic technology in both the donor organ retrieval and transplant stages.Just a few weeks ago, the OTCoE culminated its efforts by performing the worlds first full robotic heart transplant, a significant achievement that strengthens Saudi Arabias global leadership in healthcare and highlights KFSHRCs ability to innovate in medical practices, ultimately improving patient outcomes and experiences.
As a Platinum Sponsor at the Global H
ealth Exhibition, held in Riyadh from October 21 to 23, KFSHRC will showcase its more than four-decade-long journey in organ transplant. Since the establishment of the Organ Transplant Program in 1981, the hospital has performed approximately 9,000 successful transplants.
KFSHRC has also excelled in overcoming challenges related to donor-patient compatibility in kidney transplants, through its pioneering Kidney Paired Donation (KPD) program, which facilitates the exchange of living donors whose blood types and tissues are not compatible with the intended recipients, providing more opportunities for those awaiting transplants. This program, which involves simultaneous removal and transplantation of multiple kidneys, has significantly accelerated the matching process, reduced waiting times, and enabled the hospital to perform over 5,000 kidney transplants since the centers inception.OTCoEs achievements are not limited to performing organ transplants but have also extended to the field of prevention and special
ized patient care. In 2023, KFSHRC established a specialized Vaccination Clinic for solid organ transplant recipients. This clinic offers tailored vaccination plans based on each patient
s immune status and type of transplant, reducing the risk of infections that could affect transplant outcomes. In less than a year, the clinic has served 150 patients.
One of the clinic
s notable successes includes administering the “Shingrix” vaccine to organ transplant patients, achieving a 73-percent compliance rate for the first dose, with 55 percent of patients returning for the second dose. This strong commitment to preventive care reflects KFSHRC
s dedication to safeguarding patients following complex surgeries.
Source: Saudi Press Agency