Historical Success: First combined liver and kidney transplant in Bulgaria

13.08.2026 | Medicine

Medical breakthrough at the Military Medical Academy (MMA): A 20-year-old patient successfully underwent the first-of-its-kind combined liver and kidney transplant in our country following a donor situation.

Снимка от Hansfotos, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Historical breakthrough in transplantology

For the first time in Bulgaria, a successful combined liver and kidney transplant has been performed. The unique surgery was carried out at the Military Medical Academy (MMA) by a team of leading specialists. The patient is a 20-year-old man with congenital hepatic fibrosis and polycystic kidney disease.

The noble decision of the relatives of a 20-year-old donor who suffered brain death gave a chance for life to several people in need.

Details about the complex intervention

At the moment, the patient is in a satisfactory condition, responsive and conscious. At the same time, the donor's organs saved two more patients – a 41-year-old man received a heart, and a 22-year-old man – a kidney.

Statistics

As of August 5, 2024, there are 902 people waiting on the lists of the Executive Agency "Medical Supervision" for organ transplantation.