Dr. Inderbir Singh Gill, a urologist of Indian origin, played a big role in the world's first successful human bladder transplant. This major advancement in urologic surgery and transplant medicine was performed on May 4 at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
Dr. Gill, originally trained in India, performed the complex transplant in collaboration with Dr. Nima Nassiri, director of the UCLA Vascularized Composite Bladder Allograft Transplant Program.
This surgery is a historic moment in medicine and stands to impact how we manage carefully selected patients with highly symptomatic "terminal" bladders that are no longer functioningDr. Inderbir Singh Gill, Urologist
A double transplant to change lives
The recipient was a 41-year-old patient who had been left with nearly no functioning bladder due to cancer and who had been in dialysis for seven years post-removal of both kidneys. It was a double transplant of kidney and bladder from the same donor and was a very complex, almost eight-hour surgery.
"The kidney immediately made a large volume of urine, and the patient’s kidney function improved immediately. There was no need for any dialysis after surgery, and the urine drained properly into the new bladder,” Dr Nassiri said.
"Despite the complexity of the case, everything went according to plan, and the surgery was successful. The patient is doing well, and we are satisfied with his clinical progress to date," said Dr Gill.
Dr. Inderbir Gill: From Punjab to Urology
Dr. Gill began his medical journey at Government Medical College, Punjab, and pursued his surgical training in India before moving to the US in 1989. He currently serves as the Chairman of Urology at the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California (USC), and is a globally recognized leader in robotic urologic surgery.
Prior to that, he spent 12 years at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio and led several surgical firsts, including Mumbai’s first robotic kidney transplant in 2017.
Recognition for a trailblazing career
Dr. Gill's contributions have earned him numerous accolades. He was awarded the Dr. B.C. Roy National Award by the President of India in 2005 - the first overseas Indian doctor to receive this honour. Other recognitions include:
St. Paul's Medal by the British Urological Association (2006)
SIU Distinguished Career Award (2022)
Spence Medal by the American Association of Genitourinary Surgeons (2024)
His expertise spans robotic surgeries for bladder, kidney, and prostate cancers with a consistent focus on innovation and global patient care.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Muhammad Faisal Arshad/MSM)