In a groundbreaking medical achievement, doctors at Max Super Specialty Hospital, Noida, successfully performed a highly complex kidney transplant involving both ABO-incompatibility and tumor removal from the donor organ—a combination rarely attempted in transplant surgery.
Patient Faced Dual Challenge: Blood Group Mismatch and Tumor Discovery
As per the press release, the recipient, a 60-year-old man with a B+ blood group, had been on dialysis for two years and urgently needed a transplant. His only donor option was his 58-year-old wife, who had an incompatible A+ blood group. Despite the immunological mismatch, the transplant team chose to proceed due to the absence of alternative donors.
During routine pre-surgical evaluation, doctors identified a 4.2 cm benign tumor—about the size of a golf ball—in the donor’s left kidney, significantly increasing the complexity of the planned procedure.
Bench Surgery Combined with ABO-Incompatible Transplant
“Normally, we remove such tumors after harvesting the kidney using a technique called bench surgery,” explained Dr. Amit K Devra, Senior Director – Urology, Robotics & Kidney Transplant, and Head of Kidney Transplant Surgery at Max Hospital Noida. “However, combining bench surgery with an ABO-incompatible transplant demanded extreme precision and coordination.”
To prepare the recipient, the medical team performed two rounds of plasmapheresis to lower antibody levels and reduce the risk of organ rejection. Dr. Devra noted that while this procedure is essential, it also reduces platelets and clotting factors, thereby increasing the risk of bleeding. “Throughout surgery, we closely monitored clotting profiles to manage this risk,” he added.
Successful Outcome Through Multidisciplinary Collaboration
The surgical team successfully removed the donor’s kidney. They then excised the tumor using bench surgery and immediately transplanted the organ into the recipient. The new kidney began functioning right away. The patient was discharged on the sixth day, and both the donor and recipient are now recovering well.
Immunological Management Key to Success
Dr. Vijay Sinha, Director – Nephrology and Kidney Transplant, who oversaw the patient’s care before and after surgery, emphasized the significance of comprehensive planning. “ABO-incompatible transplants carry higher immunological risks and demand rigorous desensitization and follow-up. The added complexity of a kidney tumor made this case truly exceptional,” he said.
He further highlighted that the success was due to seamless collaboration among specialists. This included experts in immunology, surgery, perioperative care, and post-transplant management.
Pushing the Boundaries in Transplant Medicine
With this successful outcome, Max Hospital Noida continues to lead the way in advanced kidney transplant procedures. The case is a powerful example of innovation, expertise, and teamwork. It brings life-saving hope to patients with limited options.