Multiorgan transplant program in a nonacademic center: organizational structure and outcomes

Given the complexity of solid organ transplantation, it is reasonable to believe that numerous factors are at play in achieving the enviable outcomes reported. The aim of this study is to examine the role of an organizational structure in maintaining the outcomes of a multiorgan transplant program at a nonacademic center. A retrospective analysis of 2378 solid organ transplants at Nazih Zuhdi Transplant Institute between March 1985 and December 2008 was performed. The 1-year and 3-year patient and graft survival rates, rate of retransplantation, and median length of hospital stay were compared with US national data released by the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients in January 2009. The 1-year patient survival rates were 87.5% for heart, 95.1% for kidney, 75.8% for lung, 89.6% for liver, and 100.0% for pancreas. The 3-year patient survival rates were 73.5% for heart, 89.7% for kidney, 57.8% for lung, 87.7% for liver, and 100.0% for pancreas. A well-structured transplant program along with competent medical, administrative, and ancillary support can achieve comparable patient and graft survival rates independent of volume.