Liver Transplant Services

The faculty in the Division of Transplant Surgery provides two distinct liver transplant options for patients with end-stage liver disease. The most common liver transplant procedure involves transplantation of a whole liver graft from a deceased brain-dead donor. The second option by the transplant program is a partial liver graft from a living donor (either related or unrelated). The transplant program at the University of Colorado has long-standing experience with both procedures with excellent long-term outcomes.

Kidney Transplant Services

The kidney transplant service currently provides two options to patients with end-stage renal disease. At present, approximately 50% of our transplant recipients receive a kidney from a deceased donor. The other 50% receive kidneys from living donors both related and unrelated.

High BMI Robotic Kidney Transplant Surgery

The CU Transplant Center is now one of only 3 centers in the country with the proficiency and expertise to perform these extremely complicated surgeries. We are the only center west of the Mississippi with the capability to perform kidney transplantation in high BMI patients.

Dialysis Access Services

For patients with advanced kidney disease (i.e., Chronic Kidney Disease, Stage 4 or 5), and for patients who are already on dialysis, there is a need for effective permanent dialysis access. This is the method of choice and has a lower risk of complications such as infection and blood clots, which are more likely with temporary access methods. Our team offers outpatient procedures to establish access for either peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis. These methods can provide the patient with safer dialysis access for a longer period of time.

Liver Resection

Hepatectomy, or liver resection, is an operation in which a portion of the patient’s liver is surgically removed. Our experienced surgeons specialize in removing malignant and benign tumors located deep within the liver near the major vascular and biliary structures. This may require removing the entire right or left lobe, or even larger portions of the liver.

Renal Autotransplant Services

Renal autotransplant (also known as renal autotransplantation or renal reimplantation) is a kidney-saving surgery that can be used in select patients. During the procedure, the kidney and ureter are removed and the kidney is then implanted—or placed—in a different part of the body, typically in the pelvis adjacent to the bladder. If the surgery is successful, the patient benefits from having two functioning kidneys even though one has been moved to a different location in the body.

Hepatobiliary and Minimally Invasive Services

Surgical procedures relating to a broad scope of primary liver tumors and/or cysts are generally undertaken either laparoscopically or open depending on the size and anatomic position of the primary lesion. At present, approximately 50% of liver surgeries performed by the Division of Transplant Surgery are performed laparoscopically. This approach can be converted to an open procedure if necessary. In general, a liver resection may be necessary for both benign and malignant conditions.

Pancreas Transplant Services

Currently, patients with Type I diabetes and end-stage renal disease are potentially eligible for a combined kidney and pancreas transplant. Both organs are generally from the same brain-dead donor. In select cases, previous kidney recipients may be eligible to receive a pancreas transplant after a previously performed kidney transplant.