For the first time in medical history, surgeons have successfully transplanted a human bladder, giving a cancer survivor in Los Angeles a second chance at a normal life. The groundbreaking eight-hour procedure was performed at UCLA, where 41-year-old Oscar Larrainzar received both a kidney and a bladder from a single donor.
After seven years of relying on dialysis and struggling with bladder function, Larrainzar was able to urinate on his own just hours after surgery. Doctors say this historic operation could transform care for millions of people with severe bladder damage. Until now, options were limited and often came with serious complications. Now, with this new approach, more patients may be able to regain a quality of life once thought lost.