In late October, Viet Duc Hospital in Hanoi performed a unique organ donation and transplant case: a kidney from a brain-dead father was successfully transplanted into his own son, D.N.K., a third-year distance-learning student at the National Economics University.

K. had been living with chronic kidney disease for two years, undergoing dialysis and clinging to the hope of survival. His family’s financial hardship had made the possibility of a transplant seem out of reach.

A tragic accident left K.'s father with severe brain hemorrhaging and, soon after, declared brain-dead. In the midst of overwhelming grief, K.'s mother made the courageous decision to donate her husband’s organs - and specifically requested that one kidney be given to her son to save his life.

The transplant was highly complex, especially as there had been no prior assessment or preparation of the donor and recipient. Due to the family’s financial struggles, K. had never considered transplant an option.

Fortunately, the father and son were immunologically well-matched, significantly reducing the risk of organ rejection.

Following the surgery, K. experienced delayed graft function and required supportive dialysis for nearly two weeks. By the 14th day, the transplanted kidney began to function, his urine output gradually improved, and his health showed positive signs of recovery.

After more than two weeks of treatment, K. was discharged from the hospital with a stable condition and a new chance at life.

N. Huyen