A Chinese team achieved a world first by successfully transplanting a pig's liver and kidneys into a brain-dead patient, with the organs functioning for nearly five days.
The organs functioned well for nearly five days
Jun 09, 2026
07:48 pm
What's the storyIn a groundbreaking medical achievement, a Chinese team has successfully performed the world's first combined transplant of a pig's liver and kidneys into a human patient.
The pioneering procedure was carried out on a 53-year-old man who had suffered brain death.
China performs first ever combined transplant of pig liver and kidney to human
China performs world’s first combined transplant of pig liver and kidney to human
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The organs worked for five days, offering evidence that transplanting multiple organs between the species is feasible.
The organs worked for several days, offering evidence that transplanting multiple organs between the species is feasible.
The transplanted pig organs functioned for 36 hours before showing signs of rejection
Organs from genetically modified pigs are being used in trials in China and the US.
Researchers in China placed a lung from a genetically modified pig into a brain-dead man, with mixed results.
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