Mumbai recently witnessed a groundbreaking medical achievement as a team at Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, performed the city’s first HLA-compatible domino kidney transplant of the year. Led by Dr. Bharat Shah, Dr. Shruti Tapiawala, Dr. Pradeep Rao, and Dr. Jitendra Jagtap, the procedure involved a series of six surgeries conducted across hospitals and states. This synchronized chain connected three donors and three recipients, offering a new lease on life to patients battling complex kidney failure.

The transplant was made possible through advanced immunodiagnostics and acceptable mismatch techniques in HLA medicine. These approaches addressed the unique challenges of highly sensitized patients who represent only a small fraction of those requiring kidney transplants. For these patients, traditional desensitization protocols are often insufficient, with rejection risks climbing as high as 35 percent.

The procedure exemplified the life-saving potential of domino transplants, a method where donors and recipients are matched in a chain, enabling multiple transplants that might otherwise be impossible. Among the patients who benefited was a 55-year-old woman from Hyderabad who had antibodies against all her relatives, a 17-year-old boy whose first transplant failed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and an 18-year-old girl who faced additional challenges due to congenital abnormalities and antibodies against her mother.

The success of this transplant followed months of preparation, including detailed HLA matching, antibody profiling, virtual and physical cross-matching, and extensive counseling. On December 19, three donors and three recipients underwent surgeries lasting 18 hours, resulting in life-altering outcomes for all involved.

Dr. Bharat Shah, Director of Renal Sciences at Gleneagles Hospital, described the achievement as a testament to teamwork and innovation in medicine. He emphasized the transformative impact of domino transplants, which create a ripple effect of life-saving surgeries for patients who previously had no viable options. Consultant Nephrologist Dr. Shruti Tapiawala highlighted the immense difficulties faced by sensitized patients, explaining that advanced HLA techniques played a critical role in overcoming these obstacles. Meanwhile, Dr. Pradeep Rao, Director of Urology and Kidney Transplant, underscored the importance of paired exchange and domino transplants, noting that such procedures provide hope for patients who might otherwise remain on dialysis indefinitely.

The emotional impact of the procedure was evident in the gratitude expressed by one of the recipients, a woman from Hyderabad, who shared how years of waiting and failed attempts had finally culminated in a life-saving transplant. She credited the expertise of her doctors, including Dr. Shruti Tapiawala and her nephrologist, Dr. Anuradha, for making the miracle possible.

Dr. Bipin Chevale, CEO of Gleneagles Hospitals, celebrated the success of the domino transplant as a reflection of the hospital’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of medical science. He commended the team’s efforts to offer life-changing solutions to patients with limited options, reinforcing the hospital’s reputation as a leader in healthcare innovation.

This landmark procedure not only marks a significant medical milestone for Mumbai but also highlights the transformative potential of collaborative medical efforts, bringing hope and healing to patients facing seemingly insurmountable challenges.