Experts remain cautious, noting that the transplanted bladder lacks nerve connections, raising concerns about Larrainzar's ability to sense a full bladder or urinate independently.

Millions globally suffer from bladder diseases, and while bladder removal is common, current practices typically involve creating a substitute bladder from intestinal tissue, which can lead to infections and digestive issues.

The collaboration between USC and UCLA highlights advancements in robotic surgery and urologic transplantation research, paving the way for further innovations in the field.

In a groundbreaking medical achievement, U.S. doctors have successfully transplanted a human bladder into a cancer patient who had previously undergone major bladder and kidney removals.

Inderbir Gill, the lead urologist from the Keck School of Medicine, confirmed the operation went smoothly, and the patient is recovering well, marking significant clinical progress.

Currently, the procedure is only appropriate for a select group of patients, as immunosuppressive drugs can have serious side effects.

Traditionally, patients who undergo bladder removal often have portions of their intestine repurposed for urination, leading to complications in up to 80% of cases due to bacterial contamination.

The transplant, which included a kidney, was performed earlier in May 2025 as part of a clinical trial aiming to complete five such surgeries.

This innovative procedure, developed over four years, involved extensive pre-clinical trials and practice surgeries to refine the technique.

Remarkably, the patient, Larrainzar, was able to urinate normally just hours after the surgery, a function he had not performed in seven years.

The transplant was part of a clinical trial that emphasizes the importance of long-term immunosuppression to prevent organ rejection, which limits suitable candidates to those already on immunosuppressive medications.

Despite the success, the surgery carries significant risks, including the possibility of organ rejection and the need for lifelong immunosuppressive medication, which can increase infection risks.