Defence Ministry Scientist Undergoes Third Kidney Transplant, Now Has Five Kidneys

Devendra Barlewar, a 47-year-old scientist from the Union Ministry of Defence, successfully underwent a third kidney transplant. The patient, struggling with chronic kidney condition and previous unsuccessful kidney transplants, received a kidney from a deceased donor in his third attempt of kidney transplantation. He has five kidneys in his body as of now, marking a rare medical occurrence, with only one being functional.

Barlewar was able to receive a kidney for the third time when the family of a brain-dead farmer consented to the deceased’s multi-organ donation, including the kidney. The transplant was successful despite facing numerous challenges concerning chronic kidney illness, making it a very unusual medical success.

As per the medical team, the surgical complexities involved in adding another kidney while retaining the previous ones made this surgical intervention a highly complicated procedure. Doctors performed very careful and precise transplant of the third donated kidney, which was positioned on the right side between already existing native and previously transplanted kidneys.

One of the major factors that made this case quite rare is that he was fortunate enough to find matching donors thrice in his lifetime. In addition, the need to create space for a new kidney made it almost an impossible task. However, the medical expertise of doctors at Amrita Hospital in Faridabad made the kidney transplant a noteworthy medical achievement.

The patient’s kidney transplant journey began in 2010 when he was battling chronic kidney disease (CKD) and required regular dialysis. The donor of his first kidney was his own mother, which functioned effectively for just a year. Following this, he received the second kidney for transplant from a relative in 2012. Even though the organ functioned perfectly fine till 2022, he contracted Covid-19 which forced him to depend on dialysis again. Since there was no living donor this time, he enlisted for an organ from a deceased donor in 2023.

Dr Anil Sharma, senior consultant and head of urology at Amrita Hospital, led the complex surgery which lasted for four hours, on January 9, 2025. The operation was successful, restoring his ability to excrete wastes through urine. The patient no longer needs to depend on dialysis, as he was discharged after 10 days, noting no possible signs of body rejecting the transplanted kidney.

What all risks were there?

The prolonged chronic kidney illness, previous failed transplants, and numerous other factors contributed to the chance of increased transplant rejection. The surgical procedure also involved the usage of immunosuppresive agents, which are drugs that prevent your immune system from attacking healthy cells and tissues by mistake. These medications also increased the risk of infection since the immune system isn’t working as it should.^[1] Besides that, an existing incisional hernia added to the difficulty.

References

1. Professional, Cleveland Clinic Medical. “Immunosuppressants.” Cleveland Clinic. Accessed on February 22, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/10418-immunosuppressants.

‌(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Jithin Paul/MSM)