U.S. doctors perform world’s first human bladder transplant
This pioneering surgery brings fresh hope to individuals suffering from severe bladder conditions.
In a medical milestone, surgeons at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles have completed the world’s first successful human bladder transplant.
This pioneering surgery brings fresh hope to individuals suffering from severe bladder conditions.
The operation, conducted on May 4, involved 41-year-old Oscar Larrainzar, a father of four, who had previously lost much of his bladder to cancer.
Following the cancer-related removal of both kidneys and seven years on dialysis, Larrainzar underwent a life-altering transplant that included both a kidney and a bladder from a deceased donor.
During an eight-hour procedure, the surgical team began by transplanting the kidney, followed by the bladder. They then linked the new kidney to the bladder using an innovative surgical method that has been refined over the past four years.
"The kidney began producing a significant amount of urine immediately, and the patient’s kidney function showed rapid improvement," explained Dr. Nima Nassiri, one of the lead surgeons.
"There was no need for dialysis after the surgery, and the new bladder functioned correctly by draining urine as expected."
Dr. Nassiri and his colleague, Dr. Inderbir Gill, highlighted that full bladder transplants had never been attempted before because of the intricate vascular network in the pelvic area.
This complexity made the surgery highly challenging until now.
Prior to this advancement, patients needing bladder reconstruction often depended on artificial bladders made from intestinal tissue or used external stoma bags to collect urine.
Both options carried significant risks and impacted patients’ quality of life.
"With this successful transplant, we are hopeful about providing patients with a safer and more natural solution," Nassiri said.
"This breakthrough has the potential to transform the treatment of serious bladder disorders."
Medical professionals regard this achievement as a significant advancement in transplant and urologic surgery, with the promise to reshape bladder care globally.
