Second Patient Survives with Pig Kidney After Massachusetts Hospital Transplant
Tim Andrews, 66, became part of medical history as the second person to get a pig kidney transplant. The revolutionary surgery happened at Massachusetts General Hospital on January 25. Within a week, the New Hampshire man left the hospital, no longer needing dialysis machines to survive.
Scientists at eGenesis tweaked pig genes to help the kidney work better in humans. Andrews told ABC News, “When I woke up in the recovery room, I was a new man.”
The FDA gave permission for two more patients to join this breakthrough study using modified pig kidneys. In another trial, United Therapeutics got approval for six transplants, hoping to add 50 more if the first group stays well for six months.
The head surgeon at Massachusetts General, Dr. Tatsuo Kawai, expressed optimism: “I’m very optimistic. And hopefully we can get to survival, kidney survival, for over two years.”
This breakthrough brings hope for solving the organ shortage crisis. Every year, thousands die while waiting on transplant lists with over 100,000 people.
Before his surgery, Andrews talked with pioneer Towana Looney, who received the first-ever pig kidney at NYU Langone Health. Her kidney started working immediately, making urine with no rejection signs.
NYU’s Dr. Robert Montgomery explains that good candidates can’t spend years waiting for human organs but need to be strong enough to recover from surgery after years on dialysis.
Earlier pig organ transplants had mixed success. Four previous cases – both hearts and kidneys – lasted only briefly. A ray of hope emerged when a woman at NYU Langone Health lived for 2½ months with a pig kidney last November.
After going home, Andrews stayed near Boston for a week of daily check-ups. He wants to visit his old dialysis center to talk with others still waiting for transplants.
“I have seen my mortality and I was ready to fight,” Andrews said about joining this medical milestone.
