The most beautiful kidney I have ever seen
The most beautiful kidney I have ever seen
Dr. Tatsuo Kawai, who heads the Legorreta Center for Clinical Transplant Tolerance and led the surgical procedure, remarked that the pig organ matched the size of a human kidney precisely. Upon connecting its blood vessels to those of the recipient, Slayman, Kawai noted that the organ immediately regained a healthy color and began producing urine. The transplant team, consisting of 15 members, erupted into applause in the operating theater, reflecting their jubilation at the success of the procedure.
Expressing his awe, Kawai described the pig kidney as the most exquisite he had ever encountered, speaking at a news briefing attended by emotionally moved doctors who had dedicated much of their careers to this research endeavor. During the briefing, one doctor became emotional as he expressed gratitude to the patient, his colleagues, and their collaborators in biotechnology. Another physician offered words of support, acknowledging their achievement.
The demand for organ transplants far exceeds the available supply, with kidneys being particularly scarce. In the United States alone, 17 individuals perish each day while awaiting organ transplants, underscoring the urgent need for solutions. Despite over 27,000 kidney transplants performed in 2023, nearly 89,000 individuals remained on the waiting list for these life-saving procedures, as reported by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network.
Experts emphasize the importance of xenotransplantation, which involves transplanting animal organs into humans, as a crucial approach to addressing the organ shortage. Dr. Winfred Williams, associate chief of the Department of Nephrology at Mass General, highlighted the potential of xenotransplants to mitigate disparities in access to kidney transplantation, particularly among ethnic minority patients.
The successful transplantation marks the third instance of a pig organ being transplanted into a living human. Previous cases involved hearts transplanted into patients who had exhausted other transplant options, both of whom unfortunately passed away within weeks of the procedures. These transplants were conducted under special regulations allowing compassionate use of experimental therapies for individuals facing dire circumstances.
While the recent breakthrough is significant, researchers at Mass General Brigham stress the need for further investigation, preferably through large-scale multicenter studies, to fully understand the efficacy of pig kidney transplants. Dr. Leonardo Riella, medical director of kidney transplantation at Mass General, expressed hope that advancements in xenotransplantation could render dialysis obsolete, providing patients with a more permanent solution to human organ transplants.
Reference:
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/03/21/health/pig-kidney-transplant-living-person/index.html