Liver Transplant Pioneer Thomas Starzl dies aged 90

Sad to read that the pioneer of liver transplants, Dr Thomas Starzl, has died aged 90...he passed away in his sleep at his home in Pittsburgh, on the weekend.

Dr Starlz performed the first liver transplant back in 1963 in the USA...sadly this patient died from complications.

But after creating a new blend of anti-rejection drugs...he blended azathioprine, a drug which suppresses the immune system, with steroids...he carried out the first successful transplant in 1967.

His research later in life would lead to the acceptance of improved drugs including cyclosporine and tacrolimus.

In fact, his multiple innovations in surgery and immunology changed the face of modern medicine..he became known as the "father of transplantation" for his work in advancing the surgery from "from a risky, rare procedure to an accessible" one.

And because of this, thousands of lives have been saved by having this procedure.

For those interested in reading more about Dr Starzl, get hold of his autobiography, The Puzzle People.

It is a confronting read but is also a fascinating insight into how liver transplants have evolved and improved since that first one in 1963.