Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub has described transplantation as "one of the great success stories of the latter half of the 20th century".
Transplants are now so successful in the UK that a year after surgery:
- 94% of kidneys in living donor transplants are still functioning well
- 88% of kidneys from people who have died are still functioning well
- 86% of liver transplants are still functioning well while
- 84% of heart transplants are still functioning well.
For lung transplants the figure is 77% while 73% of heart/lung transplants are still functioning well.
Kidney (Renal) Success Rates
Kidney transplants have been available under the NHS since the mid 1960s.
Improved patient management techniques have led to improved success rates.
Nowadays kidney transplant recipients can look forward to many years with the enhanced lifestyle which freedom from dialysis brings.
Visit the kidney statistics section
Cardiothoracic Success Rates
Heart transplants have been available under the NHS since 1979 and heart/lung transplants since 1984. Lung transplants have been available since 1986.
Improved patient management techniques have led to improved success rates.
Visit the cardiothoracic statistics section
Liver Success Rates
Liver transplants have been available under the NHS since 1983. Improved patient management techniques have led to improved success rates.
Visit the liver statistics section