Perioperative Considerations Regarding Sex in Solid Organ Transplantation

Sex plays a pivotal role in all stages of the organ transplant process. In the preoperative phase, sex can affect being listed or considered for a transplant, and sex/size matching of organs is necessary for some organ transplants, thereby affecting organ availability. In the postoperative period, sex has a profound impact on complications as well as graft survival. Sex-related differences in organ transplantation are likely multifactorial related to biological and social characteristics. This article provides an overview of the impact of sex on various types of solid organ transplant, including kidney, pancreas, liver, lung, and heart transplants.