Man in Vietnam receives third kidney transplant

A 57-year-old man in Cà Mau has undergone a third kidney transplant, a rare and complex procedure at Ho Chi Minh City's People's Hospital 115. This marks the first time the hospital has performed a third transplant and the second such case in Vietnam.

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This is the third kidney transplant for the patient, the first third-time kidney transplant at People's Hospital 115.

The patient, identified as N.V.M., had previously received two kidney transplants. The first, ten years ago, was removed due to rejection. The second transplant, performed two years ago, eventually failed, forcing him back onto dialysis three times a day. This significantly impacted his ability to work and support his family, with his wife dedicating herself to his care during dialysis sessions.

Motivated by his condition, his wife volunteered to donate one of her kidneys. However, the medical team faced considerable challenges. The patient had high levels of HLA antibodies, increasing the risk of rejection. He also had a history of abdominal surgery and two previous kidney transplant scars, along with calcification in his thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic arteries. These factors complicated the process of connecting the new kidney's blood vessels.

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The patient had undergone two previous kidney transplants.

After extensive consultation, the hospital proceeded with the third transplant, implementing multiple strategies to mitigate the high risks. The patient underwent four blood antibody filtering sessions and received strong immunosuppressive drugs. His wife's left kidney was successfully removed via laparoscopy and transplanted into the right iliac fossa of her husband. The surgical team navigated adhesions and calcified blood vessels, carefully selecting the least calcified artery for connection and preparing a synthetic graft as a backup.

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The patient had to have the transplanted kidney removed due to rejection.

The surgery was successful, with the new kidney functioning immediately and producing urine. Within a day, the patient's kidney function improved, and he was alert and eating normally. Doctors noted that while third transplants are inherently more difficult due to increased rejection risks and surgical complexity, this achievement highlights the advanced surgical, immunological, and post-transplant care capabilities in Vietnam, comparable to developed nations.

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The transplanted kidney failed, and he had to return to artificial dialysis three times a day.