Surgeons at Northwestern Medicine conducted a kidney transplant on an awake patient for the first time in the healthcare system’s history.
The patient, 28-year-old John Nicholas from Chicago, underwent the procedure on May 24 without feeling any pain and was discharged the next day, a quicker turnaround compared to the usual 2-3 day hospital stay following such surgeries at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
Nicholas received a single-spinal anesthesia shot instead of general anesthesia, allowing him to remain aware throughout the operation while being comfortable.
He described the experience as fascinating, being able to follow the progress and milestones of the surgery as doctors worked on him.
Dr. Satish Nadig, the transplant surgeon and director of the Northwestern Medicine Comprehensive Transplant Center, highlighted the significance of showing Nicholas his new kidney before implanting it, which was made possible by the awake procedure.
The use of awake kidney transplantation aims to reduce the risks associated with general anesthesia and shorten hospital stays, potentially making the procedure more accessible for patients who may not be suitable candidates for traditional anesthesia.
Despite having kidney issues since his teens due to Crohn’s disease, Nicholas found a suitable donor in his childhood best friend, Pat Wise, who stepped up after Nicholas’s mother was unable to donate due to health reasons.
This transplant has significantly improved Nicholas’s quality of life, allowing him to look forward to activities previously restricted by his health condition.
Northwestern Medicine plans to establish the AWAKE Program (Accelerated Surgery Without General Anesthesia in Kidney Transplantation) to offer this innovative option to more patients in need of kidney transplants.
