A Brief History of Organ and Tissue Transplantation in Azerbaijan

Objectives: The aim of this study was to provide a brief history of transplantation in Azerbaijan. Materials and Methods: Published information on transplant in Azerbaijan is limited; therefore, we contacted transplant centers and asked questions of heads or members of transplant teams. Answers to the survey provided the basis of this report. Results: In Azerbaijan, history of transplantation started with corneal transplants in the 1920s and kidney transplant from living and deceased donors in the 1970s. Organ transplants, except corneal transplants, were stopped from 1983 to 2002. Living donor kidney transplant and bone marrow transplant were started around 2002. Living donor liver transplant and stem cell transplant have been performed since 2008 and 2015, respectively. Until 2021, 898 kidney, 252 liver, 112 bone marrow, 22 stem cell, approximately 2000 unpreserved and 72 preserved corneal transplants, and 3 left ventricular assist device implantations have been performed in our country. Currently, organ transplant is performed in 7 hospitals of Azerbaijan (the Surgical Clinic of Azerbaijan Medical University, Republican Treatment and Diagnostic Center, Central Clinic Hospital, Central Customs Hospital, Thalassemia Center, Bona Dea Hospital, and National Ophthalmology Center). Conclusions: We hope that the enactment of a new law on transplantation and the establishment of the Coordination Center and Ethics Committee in the near future will create great opportunities for future progress in transplantation, allowing the thousands of patients waiting for transplant to regain their health.