A rare surgery in Delhi is making headlines, highlighting remarkable willpower and a groundbreaking medical achievement. According to a Times of India report published on February 21, 2025, Devendra Barlewar, a scientist from the Union Ministry of Defence, successfully underwent his third kidney transplant. Barlewar had been battling chronic kidney disease and previous failed transplants. His latest kidney, sourced from a deceased donor, marks a rare medical phenomenon—he now carries five kidneys, with one functioning.
The Story Of Devendra Barlewar
47-year-old scientist working in the Union ministry of defence got a rare, successful kidney transplant for the third time. Devendra Barlewar’s body now holds five kidneys, of which only one functions. Barlewar got a kidney for the third time when a family of a brain-dead farmer were ready for the deceased’s multi-organ donation, including the kidney. His case is considered rare because he now has a total of five kidneys—three of which were donated. According to the medical team, the surgical complexities involved in adding another kidney while retaining the previous ones make this a highly unusual medical occurrence.
As per Times Of India, medical experts noted that a third transplant is rare, primarily because finding matching donors thrice in one’s lifetime is almost rare. Apart from that the need to create additional space for the new organ is also a difficulty that doctors at Amrita Hospital in Faridabad had to account for. The doctors said that the third donated kidney was positioned on the right side between the existing native and other transplanted kidneys.
Barlewar’s kidney transplant journey began in 2010 when he was battling chronic kidney disease (CKD) and required regular dialysis. His mother donated one of her kidneys for his first transplant. It went well almost for a year, after which he had to re start the dialysis. His second transplant was done in 2012, when one of his relative donated the kidney. The organ functioned well till 2022. Then Barlewar contracted Covid-19, which again took him back into dialysis. This time, no living donor was available. The scientist enlisted for an organ from a deceased donor in 2023.
Dr Anil Sharma, senior consultant and head of urology at Amrita Hospital, led the intricate surgery on Jan 9 after a brain-dead donor with a compatible blood type was identified. The four-hour procedure resulted in successful kidney function with urine production.
Dr. Sharma said that after the surgery, the patient did not require dialysis. Barlewar was monitored by the medical team for possible signs of organ rejection or other surgical complications such as bleeding. Fortunately, the hospital was able to discharge Barlewar after 10 days, as he is now stable with normal kidney function.
What Were The Rejection Risks?
According to the TOI report, Dr. Sharma outlined several challenges, including prolonged chronic kidney disease, previous failed transplants, and an increased risk of organ rejection for the patient. The procedure required precise immunosuppressive treatment to prevent rejection while managing the risk of infection. The presence of four existing kidneys further complicated the placement of the fifth organ. Additionally, an existing incisional hernia added to the difficulty. Careful planning was essential for vascular connections, as blood vessels from previous transplants had already been utilized.
