American Board of Surgery Qualifying Exam (ABS QE) Practice Test

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What is the best treatment approach for hyperacute rejection?

Medication therapy
Prevention
Immediate surgical intervention
Diet modification

The correct answer is: Prevention

The best treatment approach for hyperacute rejection is prevention. Hyperacute rejection occurs immediately after transplantation due to pre-existing antibodies in the recipient that react against the donor's antigens, typically within minutes to hours. It is characterized by the rapid destruction of the transplanted organ and is often irreversible. Prevention of hyperacute rejection involves careful pre-transplant testing and matching of donor and recipient tissues, including the identification of any pre-existing antibodies through cross-matching tests. Ensuring that the recipient has no antibodies against the donor's human leukocyte antigens (HLA) is critical in preventing this type of rejection. Strategies may include prior desensitization protocols for recipients with known sensitization, as well as using organs from donors with compatible blood types. Other treatment approaches such as medication therapy, immediate surgical intervention, and diet modification do not address the underlying issue of pre-existing antibodies and would not be effective once hyperacute rejection has initiated. Therefore, the focus should be on preventing the condition rather than attempting to treat it after it has occurred.