Volume 31 Number 2

Welcome to the December 2022 edition of the TJA. Firstly, I wish to thank Elyn Montgomery who worked tirelessly as the previous Editor during the pandemic. As the new incoming Editor, I am looking forward to working with the transplant community to publish articles of interest and scientific merit.

This edition, entitled Technology in transplant, examines the increasing usage of machines, apps and the changes in our work flows in response to the COVID pandemic. During that time we all became experts in remote technology and, as a result, many changes occurred to our way of delivery services to our patients.

Ex-vivo machine perfusion of donor organs has been evolving and its usage in Australia has expanded into kidney, lung, liver and heart donor organs. The first article is an update on the current trends in machine perfusion from four eminent transplant surgeons. It was the centrepiece of the TNA education conference and illuminates the advantages of machine perfusion and its limitations when compared to cold storage. The future of this growing technology promises expansion of the donor pool and improved recipient outcomes.

The article about the development of a specific phone app for transplant recipients outlines the emerging need for recipients to remain organised whilst also providing some educational resources. This app will commence with a specific focus on  kidney and liver recipients but hopefully will be expanded to other organs over time.

A first time author Lesleigh Winks from Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane has provided an insight into the home usage of spirometry for lung transplant recipients. Usage patterns and barriers were investigated and provide an insight in adapting technology for home usage. Her study was commenced as a result of the pandemic and was presented at the TNA national conference.

The abstracts from the TNA national conference are all published in this edition. Congratulations to all authors; it is hoped that these abstracts will be both interesting and informative. In addition, it may serve to spark a study idea to answer a clinical question or change work flow patterns.

Thanks to the TNA National Executive for your continuing hard work and support of the TNA, and especially the TJA and for supporting my baby steps forwards as Editor. The TNA National President reports, both outgoing and incoming, offer an insight into the hard work that is completed each year.

To the TJA Editorial Board, especially Bron Levvey and Libby Johns, a huge thank you for all the support and understanding. On behalf of the TJA Editorial Board, we wish you a season of joy, families united, and a safe and restful holiday season.

Author(s)

Louise Fuller and the Editorial Board