A Black man was the recipient of the first successful pig kidney transplant.
Massachusetts man Rick Slayman was discharged from the hospital on April 3, two weeks after his operation.
“We are happy to share that today, Rick Slayman, our first patient to ever receive a genetically edited pig kidney transplant, has been discharged from the hospital,” the hospital posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “He is recovering well, and will continue to recuperate at home with his family.”
The post included two photos, one of him sitting up and smiling, and another one of him standing next to surgeons.
We are happy to share that today, Rick Slayman, our first patient to ever receive a genetically edited pig kidney transplant, has been discharged from the hospital. He is recovering well and will continue to recuperate at home with his family. pic.twitter.com/26a9f9T85N
— MassGeneral News (@MassGeneralNews) April 3, 2024
“This moment – leaving the hospital today with one of the cleanest bills of health I’ve had in a long time – is one I wished would come for many years,” Slayman said in a statement issued by the hospital, according to CNN. “Now, it’s a reality and one of the happiest moments of my life.”
The 62-year-old is a manager with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. He previously said a doctor recommended he try the pig kidney when he was diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease.
Last month, Slayman’s doctors said a new kidney could last years, but there are also many unknowns in animal-to-human transplants. The hospital said the surgery, which occurred on March 16, happened after years of research and pre-clinical studies.
