US Surgeons perform world’s first human bladder transplant

In a major medical breakthrough, doctors in the US have successfully transplanted a human bladder for the first time. The complex surgery was performed on May 4, 2025, at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles.

The Patient’s story

The recipient, 41-year-old Oscar Larrainzar, had been struggling with kidney and bladder problems due to cancer. He had to rely on dialysis for seven years. After the transplant, Larrainzar’s new kidney started working immediately, and he was able to urinate normally just hours after the surgery.

The doctors’ team

The surgical team, led by urologists Nima Nassiri from UCLA and Inderbir Gill from USC, transplanted a kidney and bladder from an organ donor.

New hope

This pioneering surgery could change the lives of millions of people worldwide who suffer from bladder problems. Previously, patients had limited options, which often led to complications. The bladder transplant offers new hope with potentially fewer risks.

This surgery marks a historic moment in medicine, and his recovery brings hope to many.

“Bladder transplantation has been Dr Nassiri’s principal academic focus since we recruited him to the UCLA faculty several years ago,” said Dr Mark Litwin, UCLA Urology Chair, “It is incredibly gratifying to see him take this work from the laboratory to human patients at UCLA, which operates the busiest and most successful solid-organ transplant program in the western United States.”

“This first attempt at bladder transplantation has been over four years in the making,” Nassiri said. “For the appropriately selected patient, it is exciting to be able to offer a new potential option.”