ADVERTISEMENT

Man gets a new kidney from a pig in groundbreaking surgery

The first kidney transplant on a human, where the donor was a pig, was performed in Boston.

Kidney transplant done with pig's kidney [dailyexpress]

A groundbreaking surgery was performed at Massachusetts General Hospital, where a genetically modified pig kidney was successfully transplanted into a human patient.

Richard "Rick" Slayman, a 62-year-old man, received the pig kidney transplant and is currently recovering well. The transplant surgeon, Tatsuo Kawai, expects the kidney to function for at least two years. If it fails, Slayman may need to return to dialysis.

Pigs have been used in heart transplants and with deceased patients, but this is the first time a living human patient has received a pig kidney transplant. The entire surgery took four hours, and doctors are hopeful the kidney will function properly.

ADVERTISEMENT

This groundbreaking experiment in using animal organs for transplants represents a major step forward in xenotransplantation, a field of medicine that uses animal cells, tissues, or organs to treat human patients.

Previous attempts have been unsuccessful due to the human immune system's inability to accept foreign animal tissue. However, recent attempts have shown promise, especially with the use of genetically modified pigs, which have human-like organs.

Thousands of people die annually before they can receive a transplant, which is why this experiment is a significant advancement in the field of medicine.

While pigs have previously been used for skin grafts and heart valve implantation, transplanting entire organs is much more complex. This breakthrough surgery is an amazing innovation that offers hope to many patients who need a transplant.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Cooking With Game Changers: Kitchen Mama? Omotayo vs Obe in pasta battle

Cooking With Game Changers: Kitchen Mama? Omotayo vs Obe in pasta battle

Should you continue to eat honey if you are diabetic?

Should you continue to eat honey if you are diabetic?

You may be a psychopath if you always talk about these 3 things — food is 1 of them

You may be a psychopath if you always talk about these 3 things — food is 1 of them

Do you feel dizzy standing up suddenly? 7 reasons why

Do you feel dizzy standing up suddenly? 7 reasons why

5 signs a man might not have been sexually active in a while

5 signs a man might not have been sexually active in a while

Forget working in these 6 industries if you have a long beard

Forget working in these 6 industries if you have a long beard

Natural ways to reduce gray hair without dyeing it

Natural ways to reduce gray hair without dyeing it

3 things you should know before you tattoo your partner's name

3 things you should know before you tattoo your partner's name

10 ways to manage period bloating

10 ways to manage period bloating

Here’s why patients treated by female doctors have a better chance of recovery

Here’s why patients treated by female doctors have a better chance of recovery

7 dangerous herbs you should avoid during pregnancy

7 dangerous herbs you should avoid during pregnancy

What happened to the bodies from the Titanic — the poor still suffered

What happened to the bodies from the Titanic — the poor still suffered

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT