LOS ANGELES, USA — Surgeons at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center have successfully carried out the world’s first human bladder transplant, marking a groundbreaking advance for patients with severe bladder disorders.
The complex procedure, which took place on May 4, involved transplanting both a bladder and a kidney into 41-year-old Oscar Larrainzar, a father of four who previously lost much of his bladder to cancer and had both kidneys removed due to end-stage kidney disease. He had been on dialysis for seven years.
“This first attempt at bladder transplantation has been over four years in the making,” said Dr. Nima Nassiri, one of the lead surgeons on the case.
According to UCLA, the eight-hour surgery began with the kidney transplant, followed by the bladder.
Surgeons then connected the newly transplanted kidney to the bladder using a technique developed during their years of preparation.
The results were immediate. “The kidney began producing urine almost instantly, and the patient’s kidney function improved right away,” Nassiri said, adding that no post-operative dialysis was needed.
Fellow surgeon Dr. Inderbir Gill noted the technical challenges that had previously made full bladder transplants unfeasible, including the pelvic region’s intricate vascular system.
Until now, bladder reconstruction options were limited to using intestinal tissue or external stoma bags, both of which carry risks of infection, complications, and reduced quality of life.
The UCLA team hopes the success of this transplant will pave the way for safer and more effective treatments.
The milestone operation offers new hope to millions suffering from bladder dysfunction due to cancer, trauma, or congenital defects, and positions UCLA at the forefront of transplant innovation.
