Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: joe.muller.uk@gmail.com on 02/06/2013 20:51:59

Title: How are blood vessels connected during transplants?
Post by: joe.muller.uk@gmail.com on 02/06/2013 20:51:59

I've been wondering, during transplant of organs, such as the heart, how are the veins, arteries, etc of the donor organ connected to those of the recipient?

Title: Re: Connecting veins during transplants?
Post by: cheryl j on 02/06/2013 22:41:20

I believe they are just sutured together. If you look at a diagram of a kidney, there is one major renal artery and one vein that feeds each kidney, and I don't think they begin to branch until after they are inside the organ. Livers are probably more complicated.

Title: Re: How are blood vessels connected during transplants?
Post by: CliffordK on 03/06/2013 01:12:35

Yes, for most organs, I think the arteries and veins are sutured up using fine dissolving sutures.

When reattaching severed fingers, often only the arteries are joined, and not the veins.  Periodically attaching leaches to the reattached fingers is able to provide enough blood circulation that the reattached fingers don't die.  Over time, the veins reform.

Title: Re: How are blood vessels connected during transplants?
Post by: joe.muller.uk@gmail.com on 03/06/2013 16:11:38

Interesting, thanks!