A 64-year-old American man has become the first person in the country to undergo a triple-organ transplant with the genetic condition, receiving a liver, kidneys and lungs from a single deceased donor.. He is battling alpha-1 antitrypsin, or AAT, deficiency. The reason, Don Elliott – a grandfather of 18, had undergone an organ transplant as a last resort to save his life, after the genetic condition had begun to wreak havoc on some of his most vital organs.

The disease – which Elliott managed to keep under control with medication for more than 20 years – caused severe cirrhosis as well as a life-threatening form of emphysema – caused by an inability to produce a vital protein called antitrypsin. It happens that protects those people. Organ. Ultimately, Don’s damaged liver led to kidney failure, requiring him to undergo intermittent dialysis.

“I had asthma as a child, and over the years I’ve been in the hospital more times than I can count for pneumonia and bronchitis,” recalls Don, a native of Findlay, Ohio. He further said, “I have been ill for a long time, but in September 2023 the situation became very bad.”

Doctors decide to start organ transplant to save Don’s life

Subsequently, a team of doctors – in a bid to save his life – devised a treatment plan whereby he underwent a liver-lung-kidney transplant with all his organs obtained from the same deceased donor.

“I said, yes, let’s do it. There was no other option. I had run out of options and wanted to be here for my wife, children and grandchildren. I knew I had to do it,” he said.

According to his doctors, Don would not have lived more than a year if he had not received a multi-organ transplant.

Don’s triple-organ transplant surgery completed in 24 hours

Lung transplant surgery first occurred when doctors transplanted two lungs into Don’s chest. However, the donated liver was kept viable using an ex-vivo organ perfusion device, which maintained the appropriate temperature and oxygen requirements.⁣

After the lung surgery, the liver team began their part of the procedure, in a 12-hour operation. And once he was stable, the kidney transplant team began the final segment of Don’s multi-organ transplant, which ended about 24 hours after the first part of the operation began.⁣

A long recovery process followed

After his surgery was finished, Don faced a long recovery – spending more than six weeks in the hospital, with the first few days on life support. Doctors were monitoring her closely and were pleased with her remarkable progress.⁣ “It’s amazing. I can breathe easier, I can walk every day, and I’m chasing after the grandkids. I am able to enjoy life, and I thank my donor and his family for this invaluable gift and opportunity,” he said.

Why were the donor organs taken from the same person?

According to doctors, they took organs from the same donor to avoid the stress of multiple organ transplants causing the sick organs to fail and the patient to undergo multiple surgeries.

While Don’s surgical teams were prepared to use a kidney from an additional donor – months after his initial surgery – they were fortunate that Don’s donor also had a suitable kidney available.

Don’s health is improving rapidly

According to Don’s doctors, more than six months after his multiple surgeries – Don has made a full recovery and has even vacationed in Florida, where he walked on the beach while breathing on his own without supplemental oxygen. Enjoyed it – something he wasn’t able to do before the surgery. ,

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