Pig Kidney Functions for 271 Days in Human Patient

Why it matters locally: While not directly impacting Maine's key industries, advancements in xenotransplantation could eventually influence medical treatment options available to patients across the state, potentially expanding the pool of organs for those awaiting transplants.

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A pig kidney functioned for 271 days within a human patient before Boston doctors replaced it with a human kidney earlier this year. This transplanted human kidney has sustained the patient since its implantation, researchers announced Thursday. The medical team performed the initial pig kidney transplant, a procedure known as xenotransplantation. This marked an extended duration for an animal organ functioning inside a human body. Following the 271 days, physicians performed a subsequent procedure to implant a human kidney. Researchers detailed the patient's case and the timeline of the transplants. They highlighted the sustained function of the pig organ as a notable development in xenotransplantation research.