Core General Surgery Education Curriculum

The Division of Transplant Surgery at Allegheny General Hospital was established in October of 1986 by its present Chief, Dr. Dai Ngheim. At present, the program represents one of only two transplant centers in Western Pennsylvania and provides this region with a variety of services including:

• Cadaveric renal transplantation
  • Single organ
  • Double adult renal transplant
  • Pediatric en bloc renal transplant
• Living related donor renal transplantation
  • Includes both laparoscopic and open donor nephrectomies
• Kidney pancreas transplant
• Cardiac transplant (overseen in conjunction with the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery)

Over the last decade, the program has grown to the 3rd largest center in state in terms of volume and remains a leader in a variety of national protocols including the study of double adult kidney transplantation and investigations into novel immunosuppressant regimens. The center also holds the world's largest reported experience with pediatric en bloc renal transplantation.

This vast degree of success is attributed to a multidisciplinary approach to patient care with an intimate relationship among the transplant surgeons, transplant medicine physicians, social workers and coordinators. Each year, a second year surgical resident is assigned to this multi-faceted team for a 3 month rotation. As a member, the resident becomes the primary responder for all issues concerning the transplant unit and serves as the first assist in all renal and pancreatic transplants performed. The resident is also the first assistant on all vascular access procedures and other general surgical procedures performed on any former transplant patients. He/she represents the only operating resident on the service and takes home call for this three month period. A surgical intern is assigned to the transplant services at night to handle transplant admissions and routine concerns in the unit.

Overall, the transplant service offers the surgical resident a broad spectrum of operative experience and graduated responsibility in caring for a unique subset of patients. This is coupled with an introduction to the responsibilities and obligations of a senior surgical resident in that he/she truly runs the daily activities of the service.

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