[Psychological consequences in organ transplantations]

Organ transplantations constitute therapeutic advances for some fatal diseases. Their specificity are: severe prognosis, waiting for an alive donor (kidney or marrow transplantations) or a dead one, uncertainty of results or side effects. Identity troubles, debt towards the donor characterize also transplantations. They realize a traumatic situation difficult to communicate and demand a long working through psychic procedure. We shall describe these patients' defense mechanisms and those of their family and care takers--the psychologist's role in transplantation units.