Historic Bladder Transplant Led by Iranian-Born Surgeon in California

Dr. Nima Nassiri of the UCLA Institute of Urology partnered with Dr. Inderbir Gill of the University of Southern California to perform the historic surgery on 41-year-old Oscar Larrainzar, a father of four who previously had his bladder and kidneys removed due to cancer and end-stage kidney disease.

The procedure allowed Larrainzar to stop dialysis, marking a major step forward in urological transplant medicine, despite the surgery’s considerable short- and long-term risks.

“This first attempt at bladder transplantation has been over four years in the making,” said Dr. Nassiri in a statement. “For the appropriately selected patient, it is exciting to be able to offer a new potential option.”

Dr. Gill, executive director of USC’s Institute of Urology, called the operation “a historic moment in medicine,” adding that it could transform treatment for patients suffering from non-functioning bladders.

The transplant involved one kidney and a bladder from a deceased donor, both of which were successfully implanted during the surgery.

Until now, patients without a bladder typically relied on reconstructed urinary systems using intestinal tissue, which can lead to infections, digestive issues, and other complications.

Doctors have pursued bladder transplant techniques for years in hopes of offering a safer, more natural alternative.

So far, Larrainzar’s recovery has gone well, and doctors say they are “satisfied” with the outcome. However, it remains uncertain how the transplanted bladder will function long-term and how long immune suppression therapy will be required to prevent organ rejection.

Dr. Nassiri and Dr. Gill plan to perform additional bladder transplants as part of a clinical trial at UCLA Health to study the procedure’s risks and benefits and to offer new hope for patients with debilitating bladder conditions.