Rick Slayman, the person to receive a modified pig kidney transplant while still alive left the hospital on Wednesday following a successful operation two weeks ago as confirmed by Massachusetts General Hospital. The hospital mentioned that he is recovering nicely and will be continuing his recovery, at home surrounded by his family.
Melissa Mattola Kiatos, RN, a Nursing Practice Specialist unpacks the pig kidney in preparation for the transplant procedure.
In a statement from the hospital Slayman expressed his gratitude saying, “Leaving the hospital today with one of my healthiest checkups in a time is a moment I’ve been hoping for years. Now its become reality. One of the times in my life.”
Slayman, aged 62 and working as a manager at the Massachusetts Department of Transportation had considered using a pig kidney upon being diagnosed with end stage kidney disease year based on his doctors recommendation.
While medical experts foresee that Slaymans new kidney could potentially last for years following transplantation from an animal donor to him they also acknowledge various uncertainties associated with such procedures.
Rick Slayman was pictured in his hospital room, at Massachusetts General Hospital just before he was discharged on Wednesday, April 3 2024. It was noted that his surgery marked the instance of a pig organ being transplanted into a recipient. The previous two cases involved heart transplants for patients who had exhausted all transplant options and were granted permission for experimental therapies due to their critical conditions. Unfortunately both patients passed away within weeks of the procedures.
In expressing his gratitude following the surgery Slayman particularly appreciated the support received from patients awaiting kidney transplants.
The demand for organs significantly exceeds the supply with an average of 17 people in the U.S. Losing their lives while waiting for organ donations. Kidneys are reported to be in supply with data from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network indicating that around 27,000 kidney transplants took place in 2023 while 89,000 individuals remained on the waitlist.
Slayman emphasized that the significance of this moment extended beyond himself to others in predicaments; “Today signifies not a fresh start, for me but also for them ” he shared in a statement.
