Surgeons at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, achieved a remarkable milestone by performing the world’s first human bladder transplant on May 4. For 41-year-old Oscar Larrainzar, the impact was especially acute. He had already suffered the removal of most of his bladder due to cancer and both kidneys due to end-stage kidney disease.
The surgical team, led by noted urologists Dr. Seung-Chull Choi, Dr. Nima Nassiri, and Dr. Inderbir Gill, performed this groundbreaking procedure. Dr. Nassiri stressed that accomplishing bladder transplantation has required more than four years of work. This long timeline underscores the complexities upfront in executing such a cutting edge operation.
Even the transplant procedure itself was long, at eight hours. In a remarkable show of coordination, the surgical team was able to first transplant Larrainzar’s functional kidney, then transplant her new bladder. To reconnect the kidney to the new bladder they used a delicate approach that they’d invented and fine-tuned over the years.
“The surgeons first transplanted the kidney, followed by the bladder; they then connected the kidney to the new bladder using the technique they had pioneered,” – UCLA statement.
Larrainzar had gone through seven years of dialysis before this procedure. He faced substantial health risks from past bladder reconstruction methods, such as the development of an artificial bladder using a section of his intestines or using a stoma bag to collect urine. These techniques usually involve a number of immediate and delayed morbidities.
He assured that after the procedure, Larrainzar would no longer need dialysis.
“The kidney immediately made a large volume of urine, and the patient’s kidney function improved immediately,” – Dr. Nima Nassiri.
This landmark surgery is a major breakthrough in medical science. Along with a victory for these patients, it opens the door to countless other patients fighting severe bladder ailments. The transplantation of a complete urinary bladder may remove several of the dangers associated with the current reconstruction techniques. This historic achievement provides renewed hope to people living with these terrible conditions.
“There was no need for any dialysis after surgery, and the urine drained properly into the new bladder,” – Dr. Nima Nassiri.
This landmark surgery not only represents a significant advancement in medical science but also opens doors for other patients suffering from severe bladder disorders. The successful transplantation of a full bladder could potentially eliminate many risks associated with traditional reconstruction methods, providing a new lease on life for those affected by similar conditions.
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