In a historic feat, the world’s first in-human bladder transplant has been done by surgeons from Keck Medicine of USC and UCLA Health.“The surgery was successfully completed at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center on May 4, 2025, in a joint effort by Inderbir Gill, MD, founding executive director of USC Urology, and Nima Nassiri, MD, urologic transplant surgeon and director of the UCLA Vascularized Composite Bladder Allograft Transplant Program,” the University has said in an official statement,“This surgery is a historic moment in medicine and stands to impact how we manage carefully selected patients with highly symptomatic ‘terminal’ bladders that are no longer functioning,” said Gill, the University said.“This first attempt at bladder transplantation has been over four years in the making,” Nassiri said. “For the appropriately selected patient, it is exciting to be able to offer a new potential option.”
How was the first in-human bladder transplantation done?
The patient underwent tumor removal surgery that resulted in the loss of most of his bladder, leaving behind a severely compromised and undersized portion that was no longer functional. Additionally, both of his kidneys were removed due to renal cancer, which developed against the backdrop of pre-existing end-stage kidney disease. Consequently, he had been on dialysis for seven years.The primary risks associated with organ transplantation include the possibility of the body rejecting the new organ and the adverse effects of the immunosuppressive medications required to prevent that rejection, the doctors have said.Soon after the new kidney and bladder were transplanted, it responded well. “The kidney immediately made a large volume of urine, and the patient’s kidney function improved immediately,” Nassiri said. “There was no need for any dialysis after surgery, and the urine drained properly into the new bladder.”“Despite the complexity of the case, everything went according to plan and the surgery was successful,” Gill added. “The patient is doing well, and we are satisfied with his clinical progress to date.”
Who is Dr Inderbir Gill?
Dr. Inderbir Gill is chairman and Distinguished professor of the Catherine and Joseph Aresty Department of Urology, founding executive director of the USC Institute of Urology and associate dean for clinical innovation. He is the recipient of Dr. B.C. Roy National Award, presented by the President of India for Eminent Medical Person in India and he was the first Indian living outside of India who was given this award.With more than 750 peer-reviewed scientific papers and 8 text books, Dr. Gill was also awarded the St. Paul’s Medal by the British Association of Urological Surgeons. Dr Gill specializes in Urology, Urologic Oncology and Minimally Invasive Urology. As per reports, he moved to the US from India in late 1980s.Dr Gill led the first robotic kidney transplant at Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre, in Mumbai in 2017.
Dr. Nima Nassiri
Dr. Nima Nassiri is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Urology at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. With clinical interests in kidney transplantation, renovascular surgery, robotic kidney transplantation, urologic reconstructive surgery post-transplantation, and general urology, Dr Nassiri has received a number of awards for excellence in patient care and research, including multiple Young Investigator Awards, USC Choi Family Excellence in Patient-Centered Care Award, the John P.Stein Award, and the inaugural John M. Barry Award through the Urologic Society for Transplantation and Renal Surgery.
