[Transplantation of organs and tissues. The idea and practise in the course of time (author's transl)]

Abstract

The idea of organ transplantation is old and can be traced back to mythology. Even the practice of skin grafting is already over two thousand years old. Nevertheless, today we are perhaps only at the beginning of the phase of broad clinical realization of transplantation surgery. It became possible by accurate scientific working out of the basic immunological problems in this century. At the present time, between the possible organ and tissue transplantations a wide range from a high probability of success (eg cornea) to extensive lack of success (eg lung, small intestine) is to be seen. This is due particularly to the still unsolved immunological problems. Among the organ transplantations in the strict sense only renal transplants can be said to be the fully recognized clinical method of treatment today.