BENGALURU: NU Hospitals, Shivamogga, has performed the first cadaveric kidney transplant in the Malnad region, marking a significant step towards decentralising advanced healthcare services.

The donor organ was retrieved from a brain-dead patient at Father Muller Hospital after the family consented to organ donation. The recipient, a 71-year-old patient with a history of ischemic heart disease, underwent a complex and high-risk procedure that lasted several hours overnight. The surgery was led by Dr Pradeepa MG along with a multidisciplinary team. Doctors noted that cadaveric transplants are often unpredictable due to vascular compatibility challenges and the recipient’s pre-existing conditions.

Post-operative recovery has been gradual. The patient initially experienced delayed graft function, commonly seen in cadaveric transplants, but has shown steady improvement over the past two weeks.

Doctors involved in the procedure, including Dr Praveen Malavade, Dr Pradeepa MG, Dr Karthik S, and Dr Akash J, said the transplant marks a milestone for the institution and highlights the need to build awareness on organ donation. They noted that increased participation in organ donation programmes, supported by coordination with transplant authorities, is crucial to addressing organ shortages and improving access to life-saving procedures in smaller cities.