Medical Update: U.S. Surgeons Achieve Historic Milestone with First-Ever Bladder Transplant

In a groundbreaking medical achievement, surgeons at UCLA Health and Keck Medicine of USC have successfully performed the world’s first human bladder transplant. This pioneering procedure, conducted on May 4, 2025, at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, marks a significant advancement in transplant medicine and offers new hope for patients with severe bladder dysfunction.

The Recipient: Oscar Larrainzar

The recipient of this historic transplant, 41-year-old Oscar Larrainzar, had lost most of his bladder due to cancer treatment and had been dependent on dialysis for seven years due to kidney failure. Describing himself as a “ticking time bomb,” Larrainzar had previously undergone a bladder reconstruction using intestinal tissue, a procedure that often leads to complications such as infections and digestive issues. The successful transplant has allowed him to cease dialysis and regain normal urinary function for the first time in years.

Surgical Innovation in Medical

The eight-hour surgery was led by Dr. Nima Nassiri of UCLA and Dr. Inderbir Gill of USC, both renowned experts in urology and transplant surgery. The procedure involved the transplantation of both a bladder and a kidney from a deceased donor, marking a world-first in combined organ transplantation. The surgical team utilized advanced robotic techniques to perform the operation with high precision, minimizing invasiveness and enhancing recovery prospects.

Overcoming Technical Challenges

Performing a bladder transplant presented unique challenges due to the complex vascular structure of the pelvic region. The surgical team spent several years developing and refining techniques to address these complexities. Through extensive research and practice, including successful procedures on animal models and human cadavers, they perfected the method of removing and transplanting the bladder. The use of robotic surgery facilitated greater dexterity and precision, crucial for such a delicate operation.

Potential Implications for Medical Science

This successful bladder transplant opens new avenues for treating patients with non-functioning bladders, a condition that previously required the use of intestinal segments to reconstruct the bladder—a method associated with significant risks and complications. While the long-term outcomes of this procedure are still being studied, the initial success suggests that bladder transplants could become a viable option for patients with severe bladder dysfunction.

However, challenges remain, including the need for lifelong immunosuppressive therapy to prevent organ rejection, which carries its own risks. Additionally, the transplanted bladder lacks nerve connections, raising questions about its ability to function as a normal bladder. Future research will focus on addressing these issues and expanding the availability of this treatment to more patients.

A Collaborative Effort

The success of this procedure was made possible through a collaborative effort between UCLA Health and Keck Medicine of USC, leveraging their combined expertise in urology, transplant surgery, and robotic technology. The OneLegacy Foundation, an organ procurement organization serving Southern California, also played a crucial role by providing clinical trial funding and facilitating the organ donation process.

Looking Forward

As the medical community continues to monitor the progress of this groundbreaking procedure, the hope is that bladder transplants will become a standard treatment option for patients with severe bladder dysfunction, offering them improved quality of life and independence. The success of this operation represents a significant milestone in transplant medicine and underscores the potential of innovative surgical techniques in addressing complex medical challenges.