China performs first combined pig liver and kidney transplant in human

A Chinese surgical team from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University achieved a world first by transplanting both a pig's kidneys and liver into a 53-year-old brain-dead human patient. The transplanted organs functioned normally for nearly five days before the study was terminated at the family's request. The results were published in the peer-reviewed journal Med on May 29th, providing initial evidence that multi-organ xenotransplantation is feasible in humans.

This breakthrough in xenotransplantation could help address the global organ shortage crisis. The procedure involved orthotopic transplants, where the pig organs were placed in the correct anatomical positions after the patient's own organs were removed. The researchers also identified early immune and metabolic features during those five days that could guide future clinical applications. While still in early stages, this combined transplant marks a significant step toward routine animal-to-human organ transplantation.