SurgOne maintains the premier kidney and liver transplant program in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Region. Our transplant surgeons offer liver transplants, kidney transplants, and combined kidney/pancreas transplants at Presbyterian St Luke’s Medical Center in Denver. The transplant program, which began in 2009, has grown become a top destination for transplant patients. Our team has performed more than 1400 transplants and we are focused on providing exceptional care, before, during and after the transplant procedure. Our entire team of physicians, surgeons, nurses, social workers, and financial coordinators all specialized in the comprehensive care of the transplant patient.
Our surgeons are specialists in evaluating and determining the eligibility of a transplant candidate. Their evaluation is done in conjunction with other physicians including, gastroenterologists, nephrologists, and endocrinologists. Our transplant team is experienced in the technical intricacies of the surgeries but, additionally, have a thorough knowledge of systemic immunology, which allows for successful care of the patient following the transplant.
An organ transplant begins with the process of finding a healthy, functioning organ. This may be possible using several different types of donors:
- Deceased donor transplant
- Donation of a deceased loved one’s healthy organs
- Living donor transplant
- Receiving a living donor organ
- Altruistic donation – a donation is when a person volunteers to donate an organ to an unknown recipient.
- Living Donor Champion program
No two transplant patients are alike, so we offer individualized treatment options for each patient. We strive to help each patient and their family understand the diagnosis, comprehensive health profile and various treatment options available.
Common Conditions Treated By Transplant Surgeons
Liver Transplants
The SurgOne transplant team treats a wide range of liver conditions. The need for a liver transplant often arises from one of the following conditions:
- Alcohol abuse
- Autoimmune diseases
- Hereditary conditions
- Hepatitis
These conditions lead to chronic liver disease which results in irreversible scarring of the liver, also known as, cirrhosis. Liver transplantation is potentially available to any acute or chronic condition resulting in irreversible liver dysfunction, provided that the recipient does not have other conditions that will preclude a successful transplant.
Kidney Transplants
Kidney transplants are available for individuals suffering from end-stage renal disease. That is individuals with 25% or less of their kidney function. Transplants are available regardless of the primary cause of renal failure and it is a misconception that you must be on dialysis to be eligible for a kidney transplant. Common conditions that lead to renal failure include:
- Hypertension / Chronic High Blood Pressure
- Some Infections
- Autoimmune diseases
- Diabetes
- Glomerulonephritis
- Genetic causes such as polycystic kidney disease.
Kidney transplant surgery with live donors has become particularly successful as minimally invasive techniques are used for kidney removal. These surgical advancements have increased the willingness and overall numbers of potential kidney donors. That’s good news for patients too as using a live donor, often allows for faster recovery of the donor patient.
Kidney/pancreas transplantation
Kidney and pancreas transplants are sometimes necessary for patients with end stage renal failure related to Type 1 Diabetes. For these patients, most are on some form of dialysis at the time of transplantation. In some cases, however, individuals with chronic renal failure, who have a living donor available, often elect to undergo transplantation before dialysis is needed.
SurgOne transplant surgeons have excellent outcomes documented through the PSL Transplant Program. Their multi-disciplinary approach, highly skilled surgical techniques, comprehensive care, and dedication have created a strong, successful program in the field of liver, kidney, and kidney/pancreas transplantation.