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Our role When an organ is no longer functioning (well), a donor can donate their organ. The healthy organ is transplanted to the patient, offering him or her the chance of a return to a normal life.     Image “Organ donation is a part of a system of Belgian and supranational solidarity. We identify the donors and register them with Eurotransplant which then allocates the organs to persons on the waiting list with priority for the most seriously ill. We also manage those on the waiting list and the organs we receive for our patients.”      Professor Thierry Gustot, Director of the H.U.B. Transplant Department. Our specialities Organ transplantation at the H.U.B. is organised transversally per organ and always involving two specialist departments. The Medical Department cares for persons with “organ insufficiencies” while they await a transplant and subsequently provides post-transplant monitoring, most notably managing the anti-rejection treatment and risk of infection. The Surgery Department is responsible for the actual organ removal and transplantation.  Responsibility for heart transplants lies with the Cardiac Insufficiency Clinic (cardiology) and thoracic surgery.Responsibility for lung transplants lies with pneumology for the medical aspects and with thoracic surgery. Responsibility for liver transplants  lies with gastroenterology for the medical aspects and with the Liver Transplant Clinic (digestive surgery).Responsibility for  kidney transplants lies with nephrology for the medical aspects and with the Kidney Transplant Functional Unit (digestive surgery).Overseeing these 4 transplant units is the Transplant Coordination Cell. This team of specialised nurses manages interaction between the donor centres and Eurotransplant as well as the waiting lists and interactions with the specialist doctors in charge of patients waiting for an organ. In the event of compatibility and agreement, the Cell organises the logistics of the transplant: communication with  the patient, secure transport of the organ, mobilisation of the surgery team, reserving of a room in the operating area, etc.    Our Team Image Our medical specialists Focus The H.U.B. Transplant Department has expertise in what liver transplants can contribute in the case of multivisceral insufficiency (kidney, circulation, brain, etc.). The director of the department is also Principal Investigator for a major global study on the subject (CHANCE).     Research The H.U.B. Transplant Department works with the Institute of Medical Immunology on research projects relating to transplant immunology (rejection, organ tolerance, ischaemia-reperfusion, etc.) The department also works on terminal phase liver insufficiency, in partnership with the Experimental Gastroenterology Department.   Teaching The H.U.B. Transplant Department organises the Sympadot, an annual symposium dedicated to the latest progress in organ donation and transplantation. This symposium is for all local coordinators of organ donations within the H.U.B.-ULB network.    Publications Early liver transplantation for severe alcohol-related hepatitis not responding to medical treatment : a prospective controlled study. Autors : Louvet A, Labreuche J, Moreno C, Vanlemmens C, Moirand R, et al. Lancet Gastroenterol HepatolJournal : 2022 ;7(5) :416-425. PMID 35202597 A randomized controlled trial of liposomal cyclosporine A for inhalation in the prevention of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome following lung transplantation. Journal : Am J Transplant 2022 ;22(1) :222-229. PMID 34587371. Long-term outcome after venoarterial extracorporeal mebrane oxygenation as bridge to left ventricular assist device preceding heart transplantation. Autors : Coeckelenbergh S, Valente F, Mortier J, et al.Journal : J Cardiothorac Vasdc Anesth 2022 ;36(6) :1694-1702. PMID 34330577. 5-year outcomes of the prospective and randomized CISTCERT study comparing steroid withdrawal to replacement of cyclosporine with everolimus in de novo kidney transplant patients. Journal : Transpl Int 2021 ;34(2) :313-326. PMID : 33277746.

Surgical complications: what medical management at H.U.B.? After digestive surgery (removal of the esophagus, stomach, bariatric surgery for weight loss, removal of part of the colon), leakage can sometimes occur at the digestive suture (or a fistula if it persists over time). This may lead to a local abdominal infection and other complications.Our endoscopy team has developed a range of techniques to treat these complications endoscopically, sometimes in combination with radiological treatment, in order to avoid reoperation. It is thus possible to temporarily place an oesophago-gastric stent, use vacuum-assisted therapies or place an internal drain to achieve healing. Likewise, after pancreatico-biliary surgery, leakage of bile or pancreatic secretions may occur. Various approaches allow these to be resolved using the different endoscopic techniques available (retrograde/percutaneous cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage, etc.).The management of these potential complications requires discussion between the surgical, radiological and endoscopic teams in order to choose the best solution for each patient. The daily availability of all techniques makes it possible to rapidly treat patients who require it. The expertise of the Endoscopy Clinic team, specifically in the management of these complications, as well as its available equipment, make it a renowned centre for this activity, to which many patients are referred by other hospitals.If you suffer from a surgical complication, speak to your doctor. They can contact the physicians of the Endoscopy Clinic to discuss a possible endoscopic treatment by telephone at +32 (0)2 555 32 72. Discover the H.U.B Endoscopy Clinic Endoscopic treatment of surgical complications: what innovations at H.U.B.? Numerous scientific publications have been produced by the members of the department in recent years on this topic (oesophago-gastric stents or double pigtail prostheses to treat leaks after bariatric surgery, ultrasound-guided drainage or retrograde cholangiography for postoperative biliary leaks, for example).In addition, within the department, a new instrument is being developed to automatically cut and resolve post-surgical problems of diverticula and strictures that prevent patients from eating properly (Candy cane syndrome). Studies are ongoing to treat patients who need it using this new instrument.