Which transplant did Bailey perform in 1986?

In 1986, Dr. Bailey conducted an innovative and highly publicized baboon-to-infant heart transplant, which marked a significant moment in the field of transplantation. This procedure was part of a broader investigation into xenotransplantation, the practice of grafting or transplanting organs or tissues between different species. The goal of the surgery was to explore options for addressing organ shortages and finding alternative sources of organs for transplantation.

The relevance of this operation lies not only in the fact that it attempted to solve the critical shortage of suitable human donor organs but also in the ethical, immunological, and surgical challenges it posed. The surgery attracted considerable attention from both the medical community and the public, leading to discussions about the feasibility and ethics of using animal organs for human transplants.

While heart transplants and other organ transplants, such as liver or pancreas transplants, certainly have significant histories and cases in their respective fields, the specific accomplishment of conducting the baboon-to-infant heart transplant in 1986 is what distinguishes this procedure and underscores Dr. Bailey's contribution to transplantation medicine at that time.