Doctors in Thane have performed a combined liver–kidney transplant on a 55-year-old man who had been on dialysis for 15 years, offering him a renewed lease on life.
The man had end-stage renal disease and was undergoing alternate-day dialysis for over a decade under the care of Dr. Pooja Binani, consultant nephrologist at Jupiter Hospital. Eight years ago, he was also diagnosed with liver cirrhosis caused by Hepatitis C. Although antiviral therapy cured the infection, his liver function progressively deteriorated, eventually leading to liver failure.
The liver disease was managed by Dr Parijat Gupte, consultant hepatologist, who closely monitored the worsening hepatic function.
With two vital organs failing simultaneously, the physiological stress on the patient’s body — particularly the heart and lungs — was significantly high. After meticulous optimisation by the nephrology and hepatology teams, the patient was listed for a simultaneous liver–kidney transplant.
When a suitable deceased donor was identified, both organs from the same donor were allocated to him.
The combined procedure posed multiple challenges, including prolonged surgical duration, strict fluid management in the absence of kidney function, and minimising blood loss. The kidney transplant surgery was led by Dr. Lokesh Sinha, while the liver transplant was performed by the hepatobiliary transplant team. Dialysis equipment was kept on standby, and the anesthesia team closely monitored fluid and electrolyte balance throughout the procedure.
Both transplants were completed successfully in approximately nine hours, without the need for blood transfusion or intraoperative dialysis.
Postoperatively, the transplanted kidney took some time to function, requiring one session of dialysis. Soon after, the patient began passing urine naturally—an emotional milestone after eight years without urine output. He was discharged in stable condition and continues to recover well.
Speaking about the case, Dr Anand Ramamurthy, director – Liver Transplant and Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, Jupiter Hospital, Thane, said, “Combined liver–kidney transplantation is a true test of teamwork, timing, and surgical precision. When two organ systems fail, the physiological impact on the body is profound. In this case, careful planning, minimising blood loss, and strict fluid management were critical to success. Watching a patient pass urine naturally after eight years is deeply rewarding and reminds us why advanced transplant programmes are life-changing, not just life-saving.”
This successful combined liver–kidney transplant underscores the importance of seamless collaboration between nephrology, hepatology, transplant surgery, and critical care teams. With precise planning and expert execution, the procedure not only restored vital organ function but also transformed the patient’s quality of life—demonstrating how advanced transplant care can deliver truly life-changing outcomes.
Thane: After 15 years on dialysis, elderly man gets new lease of life
