Organ Transplants in Spain Hit Records Despite Crisis

Despite heavy health spending cuts, the surgeons in Spain have transplanted a record number of organs in the year 2013.

Transplants of all kinds increased in Spain, particularly lung replacements, up nearly 20 percent, and pancreas transplants, up more than 10 percent, the health ministry said.

Organ Transplants may Up the Risk of Kidney Disease in Children
A new study has suggested a strong link between organ transplants of solid organs in children, and the risk of advanced kidney disease

A record total of 4,279 transplants were carried out in Spain in 2013, of which 2,552 were of kidneys, 1,093 of livers and 285 of lungs, it said.

"The Spanish transplant system, which has been the world leader for 22 years, has again demonstrated its vitality," said the head of the state National Transplant Organisation, Rafael Matesanz.

"Its activity increased in 2013 in very difficult circumstances," he told a news conference, presenting a transplants report.

Head Trauma Care Success Hits Organ Transplantation
Here's a classic example of good news and bad news! Successes in preventing and treating head trauma over the past decade has had the unfortunate result of fewer organs being available for transplant.

Spain's government in 2012 cut the annual national health budget by seven billion euros ($9.6 billion) a year in its efforts to strengthen public finances, causing waiting lists for non-urgent surgery to lengthen.

But the national transplant system has thrived over the years, with the number of donors increasing from 14 per million people in 1989 to 35 per million in 2011, Matesanz said.

Mathematical Model to Improve Success Rate of Organ Transplants Developed by Mexican Researchers
Researchers claim to have developed a new mathematical model that can improve the success rate of organ transplants.

That put Spain far ahead of other countries, with 26 donors per million people in the United States, 25 in France and just under 15 in Germany, according to the transplant body's latest figures from 2011.

Spain is also considered a pioneer in certain complex operations, having carried out some of the first double transplants of arms and legs.

Source-AFP