The latest advances in abdominal transplantation
Patient-centered transplant care
The WashU Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Transplant Center is redefining what’s possible in transplant — offering more answers, more options and more hope to patients facing the most challenging diagnoses.
Watch: Transplanting hope>>
The Section of Transplant Surgery at WashU Medicine is a national leader in liver and kidney transplantation with a legacy of excellence in surgical education and transplant research. The kidney transplant program was established at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children’s Hospital in the 1960s. The liver transplant program at both hospitals was established in 1985.
Our surgeons focus primarily on kidney, liver, and pancreas transplantation and hepatobiliary surgery. Surgeons in each area utilize minimally invasive approaches—including laparoscopic and robotic surgery—that are associated with reduced pain, shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery times than traditional open surgery. Our surgeons provide lifesaving transplants for adults and children, with wait times that are often shorter than at other institutions in the region. Highlights of our clinical programs include:
- High volume of robotic surgery cases, including procedures for complex tumors of the liver, pancreas, and biliary system (including gallbladders), living donor surgery, and solid organ (kidney and liver) transplantation
- Leaders in liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma
- Over 6,500 kidney transplants performed at the Washington University and Barnes-Jewish Transplant Center
Our research focuses on increasing the number of organs viable for transplantation and reducing rates of organ rejection and immunological injury.
Our faculty play an integral role in surgical training for learners at all levels. We train general surgery residents rotating on our service and offer a transplant fellowship certified by the American Society of Transplant Surgeons.
High clinical volume
Advanced training
Innovative research
Section chief
William C. Chapman, MD
Director, Division of General Surgery
Chief, Section of Transplant Surgery
Eugene M. Bricker Professor of Surgery
Surgical Director, Barnes-Jewish Transplant Center
- Phone: 314-362-7792
Surgical Director, Barnes-Jewish Hospital Transplant Center at WashU Medicine
Related: First robotic liver transplant in the U.S. performed by Washington University surgeons
Patient care
Abdominal transplant surgeons at WashU Medicine perform liver, kidney and pancreas transplants, islet cell transplantation, and complex HPB procedures. Our adult and pediatric transplant programs are among the most active in the nation, and our surgeons specialize in minimally invasive approaches.
Education
Our section offers a two-year abdominal organ transplant fellowship certified in liver, kidney and pancreas transplant and HPB surgery. Fellows gain exposure to the latest advances in transplant and HPB surgery while functioning at the level of junior faculty.
Research
Research in the section includes ongoing studies on the use of normothermic machine perfusion on deceased donor organs, including decline livers thought to be inviable for transplantation. Other areas of research include xenotransplantation and immune response after transplantation.
