Lucknow: In a rare and complex medical feat, Medanta Hospital in Lucknow has successfully conducted a third kidney transplant on a 43-year-old railway contractor, marking a significant milestone in the field of transplant medicine. The patient received kidneys from three different family members over a span of 12 years—his eldest brother, his wife, and most recently, his 59-year-old elder brother.
The patient’s struggle began in 2013 when he was first diagnosed with kidney failure. He initially underwent dialysis before receiving his first transplant in 2016 from his eldest brother. The surgery, conducted in Delhi, was successful and he lived a normal life for several years. However, in 2023, the transplanted kidney began to fail, prompting a second transplant in 2024 with his wife as the donor. Unfortunately, the second graft failed within a month, and he had to return to dialysis.
Disheartened but determined, the patient sought consultations from multiple top-tier hospitals in Delhi. However, most medical experts declined to perform a third transplant, citing the high risks involved. It is widely known in medical circles that the probability of failure increases significantly after two unsuccessful transplants.
Unwilling to give up, the patient turned to Dr. Manmeet Singh, Director of Urology and Renal Care at Medanta Hospital, Lucknow. After extensive evaluation, Dr. Singh and his team found the patient fit for a third transplant, thanks to advancements in transplant medicine and the availability of a matching donor—his elder brother.
This surgery posed several surgical and anatomical challenges. With four kidneys already present—two natural and two previously transplanted—doctors had to carefully plan where to place the fifth kidney. They decided to remove the first transplanted kidney and position the new one in its place. This presented a complex situation, as the old kidney was tightly fused with surrounding blood vessels. Reconnecting these vessels to the new kidney required precision and skill.
What made the case more unique was that the transplant and explantation were done in a single surgery, avoiding a prolonged dialysis period and additional expenses. The newly transplanted kidney was successfully connected to the patient’s original ureter, and the surgical team ensured vascular repair and optimal functionality.
As of now, both the donor and recipient are in stable condition. The patient’s creatinine level stands at 0.9, a strong indicator of the kidney’s healthy function post-surgery.
Dr. Manmeet Singh, commenting on the achievement, said, “This case is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the advancements in medical science. If clinical parameters are favorable and a donor is available, even a third or fourth transplant can be possible. Transplant medicine has evolved to tackle complex scenarios once considered unviable.”
He further emphasized the importance of recognizing early symptoms of kidney failure—such as reduced urine output, swelling around the eyes, fluid accumulation in lungs or abdomen, loss of appetite, fatigue, and anemia. A successful transplant is generally marked by normal urine flow and stable creatinine levels within three months of surgery.
With proper medication, monitoring, and follow-up care, transplanted kidneys can function effectively for years, offering patients a renewed chance at life.
This remarkable case from Medanta not only brings hope to many suffering from chronic kidney disease but also showcases Lucknow’s growing stature in advanced healthcare and surgical excellence.
