Lifestyle
World’s First Human Bladder Transplant Performed by U.S. Surgeons
A groundbreaking surgery in California gives hope to patients with severe bladder disorders, marking a potential revolution in organ transplant medicine.
Watan-American surgeons have successfully performed the world’s first human bladder transplant—a landmark operation that could mark a turning point for patients suffering from severe bladder disorders.
The patient, Oscar Larinzar, is a 41-year-old father who had been undergoing dialysis for seven years. The pioneering surgery was conducted in early May at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in California, in collaboration with two universities.
According to a statement from UCLA, Larinzar had previously undergone the removal of a large portion of his bladder due to cancer and later lost both kidneys. During this historic surgery, he received both a bladder and a kidney from the same donor in a procedure that lasted nearly eight hours.
Bladder Transplant Marks Historic Leap in Organ Surgery
The university explained that surgeons first implanted the kidney, followed by the bladder, then connected the kidney to the newly transplanted bladder using a technique they had developed.
Dr. Nima Nassiri, one of the lead surgeons, said the results were almost immediate and highly encouraging. “The kidney immediately began producing a significant amount of urine, and the patient’s kidney function improved right away,” he noted. “There was no need for dialysis after the procedure, and urine flowed properly into the new bladder.”
Dr. Inderbir Gill, who co-led the operation, described the procedure as a historic milestone in medicine. “This surgery represents a historic moment and could revolutionize treatment for patients whose bladders no longer function,” he said.
Until now, bladder transplants were considered extremely complex due to the difficulty of accessing the area and connecting it to the blood vessels. This operation may pave the way for new therapeutic options in organ transplant medicine.
