The authors have reviewed the literature with a view to trying to esta
blish the psychiatric disorders associated with organ transplantation
and open lip a discussion of the psychodynamics involved. Psychiatric
complications fall roughly into 4 categories, namely those specific to
the 3 stages of transplantation, i.e. whether the patient is awaiting
a transplant, has recently received a transplant or is in the post-tr
ansplantation stage, and those associated with the underlying psychopa
thology of long-term illness.