Kidney Transplantation Q&A with Dr. Martinez-Ulloa

The Organ Transplant Team at Angeles Health is lead by Dr. Martinez-Ulloa, who has been honored with an award for exceptional service in the field of Transplant Surgery in Baja California by Mexican President Felipe Calderon.

Dr. Martinez-Ulloa's transplant team has performed more than 400 kidney transplant surgeries in the Baja California region. In addition, they've performed over 200 liver transplants and over 100 laparoscopic nephrectomy surgeries (surgical removal of kidney). The team specializes in meeting the challenges of high risk transplant scenarios represented by diabetes, co-morbid conditions and pediatric patients.

"We have been performing transplants for more than 13 years. The Angeles Hospital network provides among the most modern and advanced medical care available in the world, and Hospital Angeles Tijuana has gathered the best surgeons and highly qualified staff in the region."
Dr. Martinez-Ulloa, Organ Transplant Surgeon

Can you tell me a bit about your transplant program?

The surgical team has more than 13 years experience. The nephrology team has 15 years experience and both teams are top rated in results and productivity in Mexico. The surgical team's surgeons are transplant chiefs at the 3 biggest public systems in Mexico and in Tijuana (IMSS, ISSSTE and SSA) and together with the pediatric transplant surgeon we have done more than 400 kidney transplant surgeries. Dr. Marquez (nephrology specialist) and his team, run the biggest private hemodialysis clinics in Tijuana (Baja Dialisis and Dialisis In Situ). Dr. Marquez brought hemodyalisis to Tijuana, before he set up his treatment centers in Baja California there was no hemodyalisis in this part of the country.

How long has the transplant center at your facility been operating?

We have been doing transplants for more than 13 years, both at public hospitals and private institutions. Since Angeles Hospital is a new hospital, we started the program 6 years ago, at the same time as the hospital opened. The Angeles Hospital chain operate the most modern and advanced hospitals in Latin America and they have gathered the best physicians and highly qualified staff in the region.

How many transplant surgeons are on staff or associated with the program?

The top four transplant surgeons in Mexico are working with the Unitransplant program.
The staff from Hospital Angeles includes 3 cadaveric donor hospital coordinators, 2 cardiovascular and transplant anesthesiologists, one transplant urologist, and all of the different specialties involved in transplants: Intensive care, cardiology, pneumology, ear-nose and throat, gastroenterology, hepatology, gynecology, psychology, dentistry, ophthalmology, etc. All physicians are board certified in Mexico with extensive experience with transplant patients.

How many transplants have been performed?

Kidney transplants- 400, liver transplants in Guadalajara (with Baja California patients) over 200. If the patient is a candidate, we do laparoscopic nephrectomy, and we have done more than 100 cases successfully.

Does the facility accept high risk, highly sensitized patients? Are plasmapheresis and/or IVIG therapy available for such patients?

Yes, we accept high risk transplant patients, such as diabetics and/or patients with other important comorbid conditions, pediatric patients, Jehovah witness patients, etc.

Regarding sensitized patients, we do our PRA and if indicated we have protocols of plasmapheresis with IVIG or rituximab protocols. We have an experienced hematologist on board and plasmapheresis equipment.