In a surprising case of organ transplant, a 47-year-old scientist from the Union Ministry of Defence, Devendra Barlewar, received a rare third kidney transplant at Amrita Hospital in Faridabad. His body now contains five kidneys, with only one being functional, following a successful surgery on January 9 after receiving an organ from a brain-dead farmer through multi-organ donation.
With luck playing on his side, the third transplant is considered exceptional because finding matching donors three times in a lifetime is extremely uncommon. The surgical procedure was particularly complex due to the need to create additional space for the new organ among the existing four kidneys.
His battle with chronic kidney disease
Barlewar’s battle with chronic kidney disease began with his first transplant in 2010, receiving a kidney from his mother that functioned for about a year. His second transplant occurred in 2012 with a relative’s donated kidney, which worked until 2022 when COVID-19 complications necessitated dialysis again.
The medical miracle
The latest transplant was performed by Dr. Anil Sharma, senior consultant and head of urology at Amrita Hospital. The four-hour surgery resulted in immediate kidney function with urine production, and Barlewar was discharged after 10 days with normal kidney function.
The surgical team faced multiple challenges during the procedure. The third donated kidney had to be carefully positioned on the right side between the existing native and other transplanted kidneys.
Dr. Sharma detailed the complexities of the surgery, including managing increased organ rejection risks due to prolonged chronic kidney disease and previous failed transplants. The procedure required precise immunosuppressive treatment and careful planning for vascular connections, complicated by previously utilized blood vessels and an existing incisional hernia.
The patient required no dialysis after the surgery, and doctors monitored him for potential organ rejection or surgical complications such as bleeding.
Barlewar, who now weighs 44 kg, expressed his gratitude and acknowledged the rarity of his situation. “When even obtaining one is challenging for most people, this seemed like divine intervention, a third chance at life,” he said. He plans to resume regular activities after a three-month rest period.
The successful transplant was made possible after the family of a brain-dead farmer consented to multi-organ donation, including the kidney that was transplanted to Barlewar. He came to have five kidneys—three of which are donated—and the surgical complications that transplanting the organ entailed are why this is a rare occurrence.
