A few days ago we informed you of an unprecedented event. For the first time, a heart transplant was performed from a pig to a human. It was a historical fact that can mark the future for interventions. But when it comes to other organs there are also important advances because today the second kidney xenotransplantation in history was confirmed. This opens up new possibilities within operating rooms.
To begin with, it should be noted that transplanting organs or tissues from animals to humans is not something new. The first attempts began centuries ago and although there have been some failures, some successful cases have also been reported.
Some of the first attempts
Medical literature mentions that the first recorded event occurred in the 17th century. Back then, a dog bone was used to repair a human head injury. Also at that time, the blood of a lamb was used for a human transfusion in France, although shortly after this technique was prohibited for being harmful.
Now, the first recorded attempt at kidney xenotransplantation was made by the French surgeon Mathieu Jaboulay in 1906. He used a pig’s organ for a woman with nephrotic syndrome. The problem was that the patient did not survive the intervention.
It was not until 2021 when the first successful intervention of this type was achieved. The merit went to a multidisciplinary team from the NYU Langone Health in the United States. For the xenotransplantation, the kidney of a pig with altered genes was used so that its tissues did not have a molecule responsible for causing immediate rejection. A brain-dead patient on a ventilator whose family had given permission for the experiment was used.
history was made again
And just today it was announced the second case of a kidney xenotransplantation in history. The achievement was achieved by medical personnel from the University of Alabama. The incident was published in the magazine American Journal of Transplantation and was peer reviewed.
Based on the description, the surgery took place on September 30, 2021. It involved placing two kidneys from a genetically modified pig inside the body of a brain-dead recipient.
The kidneys remained functionally viable until the study ended 77 hours later. During that time they leaked blood, produced urine and, most importantly, were not immediately rejected.
With this, a huge step has been taken towards the next generation in terms of transplants. It is now thought that kidney xenotransplantation is getting closer to being a clinical reality. While the organs of pigs are the most viable because of their great resemblance to those of humans.
With this, it would also be possible to combat the severe problem of organ donation. Worldwide there is a serious deficit that causes you to wait for months and sometimes even years to receive one. Although in some cases people die before that happens.