‘Paired’ kidney transplant success

Two couples participating in an organ-swapping scheme have donated a kidney to the other pair as part of the UK’s first ‘paired’ kidney transplant.

One member of each couple wanted to donate a kidney to their partner, but were unable to as their blood groups were incompatible.

Roma Horrell, 57, and her husband Peter, 55, decided to register for a new scheme which pools people in the same situation.

The new pooling system was set up earlier this year after the Human Tissue Act came into force, which allowed transplantation between couples to take place.

The computer system looks at couples who want to donate a kidney but cannot and assesses whether the kidney could be compatible for someone else.

Under this system Mr and Mrs Horrell were paired up with a Scottish couple ? who have chosen to remain anonymous ? who also needed a kidney swap.

The four operations took place on July 4th. A healthy kidney was removed from Mr Horrell by surgeons at Addenbrooke’s hospital in Cambridgeshire at the same time as the female donor was operated on in Edinburgh.

The donated organs were then transplanted into the recipients; Mr and Mrs Horrell were discharged from Addenbrooke’s within a week.

“We are more than grateful for the pool. It has saved my life,” Mrs Horrell said.

Surgeons involved in the operation believe that the new law will bring new hope for some of the 6,500 patients waiting for a kidney transplant in the UK.