74-Year-Old Man Undergoes Awake Kidney Transplant

In a significant medical advancement, doctors in Trichy, India, successfully transplanted a kidney into a 57-year-old man, sourced from a brain-dead donor, marking the 29th kidney transplant performed at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital. Meanwhile, in Chicago, 74-year-old Harry Stackhouse underwent a pioneering awake kidney transplant at Northwestern Medicine, allowing him to remain conscious during the procedure. Stackhouse, who faced severe health challenges since a COVID-19 diagnosis, was able to converse with his medical team and examine the donor organ throughout the surgery, which lasted just over an hour. This innovative approach, utilizing spinal anesthesia, minimizes the risks associated with general anesthesia for high-risk patients, particularly the elderly. Both cases highlight evolving practices in kidney transplantation, with a growing focus on safer methods for vulnerable populations. Stackhouse's successful recovery has been rapid, as he has begun walking daily post-surgery, emphasizing the potential benefits of this new technique.