Surgeons in California perform first ever successful bladder transplant
GuardianMAY 2025
Surgeons Complete World's First Human Bladder Transplant
Surgeons Complete World's First Human Bladder Transplant
Above: Dr. Inderbir Gill (L) and Dr. Nima Nassiri (C) perform the world’s first human bladder transplant. Image credit: Nick Carranza/UCLA Health
The Spin
WhileThis thetransplant initialrepresents surgerya showsrevolutionary promiseadvancement in organ transplantation, significantoffering uncertaintiesa remaingroundbreaking abouttreatment long-termfor outcomespatients andwith rejectionterminal risksbladder conditions. The procedure requiresresults lifelongin immunosuppressionan medication,immediate limitingimprovement eligiblein candidatesbladder tofunction, thosenegating alreadythe onneed transplantfor medicationsdialysis, oropening requiringthe multipledoor organfor transplants.potentially Themillions truesuffering successfrom ofbladder thisdysfunction pioneeringworldwide surgeryto cana onlynew betreatment determinedoption afterthat extensiveis clinicallife-saving trials and longlife-term monitoringenhancing.
While the initial surgery shows tremendous promise, a series of unknowns remain. For example, it is yet to be seen how Oscar Larrainzar’s new organ will perform over time and how long he will have to take immunosuppression medication to prevent his body from rejecting his transplanted bladder, which could be lifelong. While the procedure is exciting, further trials are needed to assess the surgery’s long-term outcomes before it is rolled out to patients.
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.18.0
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.18.0