In a historic medical breakthrough, an Indian-origin urologist, Dr. Inderbir Singh Gill, played a pivotal role in the world’s first-ever human bladder transplant, marking a monumental advancement in organ transplantation and urologic surgery.
The complex and pioneering procedure was performed on May 4, 2025, at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles.
A Landmark Surgery with Global Significance
The surgery involved transplanting both a kidney and a bladder into 41-year-old Oscar Larrainzar, a father of four who had lost both his kidneys and most of his bladder due to cancer and end-stage kidney disease.
After seven years on dialysis, Larrainzar finally found hope through this cutting-edge medical intervention.
The operation was conducted under a UCLA clinical trial led by Dr. Nima Nassiri, Director of the UCLA Vascularised Composite Bladder Allograft Transplant Program, in collaboration with Dr. Inderbir Gill, a globally recognized expert in robotic urologic surgery and Executive Director of the USC Institute of Urology.
Dr. Inderbir Gill: A Trailblazer in Urologic Surgery
Dr. Gill’s journey began in Punjab, India, where he completed his medical education at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana. In 1989, he moved to the United States to pursue advanced medical training.
Over the decades, he has built an illustrious career, serving as Chairman of Urology at the Cleveland Clinic, and currently holding prestigious positions at the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California (USC).
Known as a pioneer in robotic and minimally invasive urologic surgery, Dr. Gill previously led Mumbai’s first robotic kidney transplant in 2017 and has received numerous international accolades, including:
- Dr BC Roy National Award (2005) – India’s highest medical honor
- St. Paul’s Medal (2006) – British Urological Association
- SIU Distinguished Career Award (2022) – Société Internationale d’Urologie
- Spence Medal (2024) – American Association of Genitourinary Surgeons
Years of Research Leading to a Breakthrough
The transplant procedure was the result of over four years of research, trial surgeries, and clinical planning. According to UCLA, the surgery was carried out in phases:
- A donor kidney was implanted.
- This was followed by the implantation of the donor bladder.
- The new kidney was then connected to the new bladder using a custom-developed technique.
The result was immediate and promising. As Dr. Nassiri explained, “The kidney immediately made a large volume of urine, and the patient’s kidney function improved instantly.
There was no need for dialysis after the surgery, and the urine drained properly into the new bladder.”
Redefining Treatment for Bladder Loss
Traditional treatments for bladder dysfunction typically involve using segments of the intestine to create a substitute urinary reservoir, often leading to complications.
A bladder transplant, however, may offer a more natural and functional urinary system with fewer short- and long-term risks.
“This surgery is a historic moment in medicine,” said Dr. Gill. “It stands to impact how we manage carefully selected patients with highly symptomatic ‘terminal’ bladders that are no longer functioning.”
While the initial results are encouraging, both Gill and Nassiri have emphasized the importance of long-term monitoring, particularly concerning organ rejection and immunosuppressive therapy.
What This Means for the Future
This successful transplant opens a new frontier in urology and organ transplantation.
If further trials prove successful, bladder transplants could become a viable treatment option for patients with bladder loss due to cancer, injury, or congenital conditions, drastically improving quality of life.
Dr. Inderbir Gill’s contributions once again spotlight the global influence of Indian-origin medical professionals, and this milestone may well become a defining moment in regenerative urology and transplantation medicine.
