In an extraordinary display of love and resilience, a 64-year-old grandmother, Meena, donated her kidney to her five-year-old grandson, Shreyas, giving him a chance to live a healthier life after years of battling severe health challenges.
This heartwarming story, which unfolded in Bengaluru, India, highlights not only a family’s unwavering bond but also the remarkable advancements in medical science that made this life-saving transplant possible.
Shreyas, one of identical twins, had been grappling with a chronic kidney condition, further complicated by multiple urological surgeries, a seizure disorder, and a non-functional bladder. As his health declined, he relied on peritoneal dialysis to stabilise his condition while doctors prepared for a complex transplant.
To address his bladder dysfunction, a Mitrofanoff channel was surgically created to enable urinary drainage, a critical step before the transplant could proceed.
The procedure, performed at Fortis Hospital on Bannerghatta Road, was a feat of medical precision led by Dr. Mohan Keshavamurthy, a leading expert in urology and kidney transplantation.
The surgical team faced unique challenges due to the significant 59-year age gap between Meena and Shreyas, one of the largest recorded in such a transplant in India. Transplanting an adult kidney into a young child required meticulous planning to account for size differences and the heightened risk of rejection.
Using advanced laparoscopic techniques, Meena’s kidney was retrieved with minimal invasiveness and successfully transplanted into Shreyas’ abdomen. The operation also leveraged cutting-edge robotic technology, with the Mitrofanoff reconstruction performed using the Da Vinci Xi Robot for enhanced precision and reduced recovery time.
Just four days after the surgery, Shreyas was discharged in stable condition, a testament to the skill of the multidisciplinary team of pediatricians, nephrologists, anesthesiologists, and surgeons involved.
Meena, reflecting on her decision, spoke with deep emotion: “Seeing Shreyas suffer broke my heart. When I learned I could help, there was no question – I had to do it. Now, hearing his laughter again is the greatest gift I could ever receive.”
The success of the transplant underscores the critical role of both medical expertise and familial courage. Dr. Karthik Rao, a key member of the surgical team, highlighted the importance of robotic technology in ensuring a smooth procedure and faster recovery.
Meanwhile, the hospital’s facility director, Akshay Oleti, praised the family’s determination and the hospital’s advanced paediatric transplant programme for making such outcomes possible.
This remarkable case not only marks a medical milestone but also serves as a powerful reminder of the lengths a family will go to protect one of their own. For Shreyas, his grandmother’s selfless act has opened the door to a brighter, healthier future, filled with the promise of more laughter and joy.
