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A First in Israel: Father Donates Two Organs to Son
For the first time in Israel, something that has rarely even happened in the world has occurred: a father donated to his son two organs – a kidney and part of his liver.
The transplant patient suffers from an inherited genetic disease characterized by a lack of a necessary enzyme in the liver. That condition caused clots in the kidneys, which were eventually irreparably damaged. In time, the disease attacks the joints, bones, and heart, and can lead to death at a young age.
Because his kidneys were damaged, the man had to undergo dialysis several times a week. A kidney and liver transplant were the only option if he hoped to live.
For the young man's father, Hasnin Ahteh, who underwent the liver operation six months ago with no complications, the operation to remove one of his kidneys was expected to proceeded without mishap. Ahteh's liver had already regenerated to 90% of its original size, and the time that had passed since the liver operation had allowed him to completely recover. Ahteh was in perfect health on the eve of the kidney operation.
Professor Eitan Mor, Director of the Transplant Unit at Beilinson, said, "Until now, patients with this particular disease who were in need of a double transplant would receive the organs from dead bodies. I hope that this heroic act on the part of my patient's father will contribute to the field of performing live transplants. I have no doubt that if the young man had not received a kidney and liver from his father, he would have waited for a very long time to receive those organs from a dead body – as there is presently a shortage of donors."
According to Professor Mor, there is a great advantage to receiving organs from the same donor, since the liver works to protect the kidney from being rejected by the body. There is a very good chance that the kidney will function for many years.
The father and son are both in good condition.
Beilinson is the leading hospital for organ transplants in Israel, performing 70% of all the transplants in the country.
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