Pig Kidney Functions for Record 271 Days in Seattle-Tacoma Patient
In Seattle-Tacoma, a pig kidney has successfully functioned inside a man for a record 271 days, serving as a bridge to a human transplant and allowing the patient to avoid dialysis.
Seattle Tacoma, WA, September 6, 2026 —
A pig kidney has successfully functioned within a human patient in the Seattle-Tacoma area for a notable duration of 271 days. This medical achievement marks a significant period for xenotransplantation, the practice of transplanting organs between species.
The organ served as a crucial bridge, supporting the patient’s life while awaiting a human kidney transplant. During its function, the transplanted pig kidney enabled the patient to successfully avoid the need for dialysis, a life-sustaining treatment for kidney failure that involves filtering waste products from the blood artificially.
The duration of 271 days represents a record for such a procedure, highlighting advancements in the field and the potential for animal-to-human organ transplantation to address organ shortages. The specifics of the surgical procedure, the identity of the patient, the medical facility involved, and the outcome regarding the subsequent human transplant were not detailed in the available summary.
Story summarized from the original created by Heather.Miller@fox.com (Heather Miller) on www.fox13seattle.com, see more information here.
