The West Covina cancer survivor was the world’s first recipient of intra-human bladder transplant this month, thanks to doctors in Los Angeles.
Surgeons at USC and UCLA Health’s Keck Medicine operated for eight hours on May 4th at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.
Two surgeons – Inderbir Gill, MD, founding executive director of USC Urology and clinical professor of urology at UCLA, Nima Nassiri began seriously considering the operation over four years ago.
“This was made over many nights of sweat, blood and tears,” Nasiri said.
The doctor said he was determined to use up all his resources and discover techniques to perform bladder transplants for people who need or have debilitating bladder conditions that require immunosuppression.
Gill and Nassiri designed clinical trials, secured regulatory approval, performed numerous clinical procedures at USC’s Keck Medical Center and OneLegacy, an organ procurement organization in Southern California, before attempting bladder transplants in humans.
Oscar Lareinzer, 41, of West Covina, was considered an ideal candidate. He is a survivor of bladder and kidney cancer, previously had kidneys and had removed some of his bladder. Lareinzaar was on dialysis for seven years.
“I still have a lot to live [for]Lalinetzer said.
He is four husbands and fathers, with children between the ages of 9 and 19. He said his family motivated him to take part in the groundbreaking surgery.
“The fact that I have a family, the fact that I still want to live, the fact that I want to help my family,” he said. “I want to see my little girl grow up. My other girls are satisfied. My wife, she is my hero, because she is there for me every day.”
Larrainzar is three weeks after receiving a new bladder and new kidneys. He said he’s doing well despite dealing with the pain.
“So far, Oscar has actually been showing very surprising results,” Nassiri said. “He’s spontaneously making a voice. That’s great. So, although the results are already good, great and straightforward, we want to be careful and optimistic.”
The team continues to monitor Larrainzar’s progress and hopes to do more bladder implants soon. The UCLA clinical trial lasts for two years, with approval from five patients.
The doctor said that for qualified individuals, transplant surgery is a good alternative to the treatments currently in use.
“The current gold standard for patients uses the intestine to create urine reservoirs, which function normally and has been available for decades, but for patients suffering from immunosuppression, there are potentially many short- and long-term complications,” Nassiri said.
“So, for example, for those who are undergoing immunosuppression for kidney transplants, he continued.
Larrainzar said he is grateful that he hopes his experience can help others as the UCLA clinical trials continue.
“If that’s a success, if it’s what they did to me, it brings a lot of hope for others,” Laranzard said. “Every day, every day, I’m just grateful for another day.”
Gil and Nassiri also shared their gratitude and hopes for their future.
“It’s rare these days that you have something new in medicine, especially in surgery,” Nasiri said.
“It’s all about innovation, improving the human condition,” Gill said. “That’s a very privilege.”
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