VGH surgeons perform 10 major organ transplants in 24 hours

VGH surgeons perform 10 major organ transplants in 24 hours

Vancouver Sun

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

VANCOUVER - Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) recorded a provincial - and perhaps Canadian - first by performing a record number of life-saving organ transplants in a 24-hour period, the agency annnounced Wednesday in a press release. From Oct. 23-24, 2007, Vancouver General Hospital surgical teams carried out 10 major organ transplants, the release said.

"This one-day life-saving miracle showcases the world-class skill and expertise that exists at Vancouver General Hospital and St. Paul's, as well as the complexity of cases performed," said Health Minister George Abbott in the release. "I commend surgical staff and physicians from all disciplines for their outstanding work and ongoing commitment to patient care."

The typical procedure rate is nine to 12 transplants per month, not 10 in one day. Additional staffing, rearranging of operating room space and additional resources in the hospitals were all accomplished on short notice while staff still carried out three cardiac procedures and urgent and emergent scheduled patient procedures, the release said.

While the identity of the donors is never shared, the procedures performed include: five renal transplants, three liver transplants and two double lung transplants, the release said.

In 2006/07, Vancouver Coastal Health performed 151 transplants, the majority being renal and liver transplants, followed by lung and pancreas islet transplants.

Earlier this month, the BC Transplant Society announced a significant milestone when it reached the 1,000th living donor transplant in British Columbia, the release said.

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