Awake and discharged after just a day. This is a first and methods will be copied
In a groundbreaking medical event, surgeons at a prominent healthcare institution in Chicago conducted a kidney transplant on a patient who remained conscious throughout the procedure, a pioneering approach within this system. The recipient, John Nicholas, a 28-year-old resident of Chicago, underwent the operation on May 24 and remarkably, was able to leave the hospital the following day. This swift discharge contrasts with the standard 2-3 days of hospitalization that typically follows such surgeries.
For the first time @NorthwesternMed, surgeons have performed a kidney transplant where the patient was awake during the entire surgery and was discharged home the next day.
PRESS RELEASE: https://t.co/zeIIdxU9z9 @NM_Transplant pic.twitter.com/pGeUTOlToZ
— NM Media Relations (@NMHC_News) June 24, 2024
Nicholas described the experience as profoundly unique, noting that he was aware of the procedure’s progress without feeling any pain. He was mildly sedated for comfort yet remained alert enough to understand the significant milestones during the surgery. This approach involved the use of single-spinal anesthesia, commonly employed in cesarean sections, instead of the usual general anesthesia.
Dr. Satish Nadig, the transplant surgeon and leader at the hospital’s Comprehensive Transplant Center, shared that the operation allowed them to exhibit the newly transplanted kidney to Nicholas before implantation, enhancing the patient’s experience and connection to the procedure. Dr. Nadig highlighted the benefits of this method, such as potentially reducing the risks associated with general anesthesia and minimizing the length of hospital stays. This technique could also broaden the options for patients who face higher risks with traditional surgery methods.
Northwestern Surgeons perform first known kidney transplant with awake patient
Patient felt no pain & was discharged next day vs hospitalized 2-3 daysInstead of normal general anesthesia, a single-spinal anesthesia shot was used, similar to what’s used during cesarean sections pic.twitter.com/MvH05dXrQT
— trump: former pres, felon, convicted sex assaulter (@MaggieJordanACN) June 24, 2024
Nicholas, who had struggled with kidney problems since his teenage years following a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease, faced a dire need for a transplant in early 2022 as his condition worsened. After his mother was unable to donate a kidney due to her battle with breast cancer, Nicholas’s lifelong friend, 29-year-old Pat Wise, stepped in and was found to be a compatible donor. This gesture deepened the bond between the two, who referred to each other as “ride or die” friends. Wise’s willingness to donate was transformative for Nicholas, who now looks forward to engaging more actively in his hobbies, such as cycling and enjoying foods he had to avoid earlier due to his condition.
This triumphant operation has inspired Northwestern Medicine to explore establishing the AWAKE Program (Accelerated Surgery Without General Anesthesia in Kidney Transplantation). This initiative aims to offer this innovative surgical option to more patients, enhancing the field of transplantation by introducing new techniques that improve patient comfort and recovery times. Dr. Nadig expressed enthusiasm about this advancement, recognizing it as a valuable addition to the arsenal of transplantation methods.
Major Points
- Surgeons at a Chicago-based healthcare institution successfully performed a kidney transplant on a patient who was awake during the procedure, a first for the system.
- The patient, John Nicholas, experienced the operation without pain thanks to single-spinal anesthesia, and was discharged just a day after the surgery.
- The innovative technique used for Nicholas is less invasive than traditional general anesthesia, potentially reducing recovery time and medical risks.
- Nicholas’s kidney donor was his childhood friend, Pat Wise, who stepped in after other family options were unavailable due to health issues.
- The success of this procedure has led to the development of the AWAKE Program, aimed at offering awake transplants to more patients at Northwestern Medicine.
Donovan Bedu – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
