On March 31, surgeons at Massachusetts General Hospital attempted a pioneering procedure by transplanting a frozen kidney into a pig, a first for large animals. The kidney had been harvested 10 days before and then frozen, representing a significant development in organ transplantation. Dr. Korkut Uygun, a key surgeon in the trial, noted the significant risks, estimating a 50% success probability. This advancement is crucial given the dire shortage of kidneys for transplants, with over 92,000 patients on waiting lists, highlighting the need for longer organ preservation methods to enhance matching opportunities.
‘There is a severe and ongoing shortage of kidneys for transplants; more than 92,000 people are on waiting lists. The brief preservation window limits matching.’
‘The promise from freezing and storing organs is great, potentially revolutionizing how kidneys can be transplanted in the future.’
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