In a landmark achievement for modern medicine, surgeons from Keck Medicine of USC and UCLA Health have successfully completed the world’s first human bladder transplant. The complex, eight-hour surgery was performed on May 4, 2025, at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, led by Dr. Inderbir Gill and Dr. Nima Nassiri.
The patient, who had been on dialysis for seven years and lacked a functioning bladder due to previous cancer surgeries, received both a new kidney and bladder. The transplant was a success—the new kidney began producing urine immediately, which was properly processed by the new bladder, eliminating the need for further dialysis.
This historic first-in-human procedure was the result of over four years of collaborative research and surgical development, including pre-clinical trials at Keck Medical Center of USC and OneLegacy’s Transplant Recovery Center.
Why This Matters:
Millions suffer from debilitating bladder diseases or dysfunction. Traditional surgeries often require using the intestine to form a new urinary reservoir—an approach that can result in long-term complications. This bladder transplant offers a more natural alternative, potentially improving health outcomes and quality of life for patients with “terminal” bladders.
While the surgery marks a turning point, the team acknowledges ongoing risks—particularly organ rejection and the need for long-term immunosuppressive therapy. Future procedures may initially focus on patients already requiring immunosuppressants or multi-organ transplants.
The transplant is part of an ongoing UCLA clinical trial, and both institutions plan to perform additional transplants as research progresses.
Dr. Gill praised the achievement as a transformative moment for urologic surgery, while Dr. Nassiri highlighted its promise for carefully selected patients with no other viable treatment options.
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