After rare surgery in Delhi, this defence scient now carries five kidneys; a look at the groundbreaking case | Health News

A groundbreaking medical achievement has come to light in Delhi, where 47-year-old scient Devendra Barlewar successfully underwent his third kidney transplant. Despite battling chronic kidney disease for years and facing two failed transplants, Barlewar’s remarkable determination and advanced surgical expertise have given him a new lease on life. His latest kidney, sourced from a deceased donor, makes his case highly unusual — he now carries a total of five kidneys, though only one is functioning.
Performing a third kidney transplant is rare due to multiple challenges, including finding a matching donor, managing organ rejection risks, and making space for the new kidney while retaining the previous ones. 
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Doctors at Amrita Hospital in Faridabad navigated these complexities and ensured a successful procedure. Dr Anil Sharma, Senior Consultant, Urology at Amrita Hospital, Faridabad and Dr Ahmed Kamaal, Senior Consultant Urology, Amrita Hospital Faridabad, who performed the surgery on Barlewar spoke to about it in detail. 
Major health challenges that led to the surgery
Speaking on the major health challenges that Devender Barlewar faced, the doctors shared that he had been experiencing chronic kidney disease (CKD) since 2008 when he was first diagnosed with hypertension. “As a result of this condition, he had to visit the hospital for dialysis quite frequently, almost three times a week; this had an adverse effect on his professional life, physical well-being, and dietary habits. He had undergone two kidney transplants in 2010 and 2012, both of which ultimately failed, leading him back to dialysis. His second transplanted kidney stopped working after he contracted COVID-19 in 2022, worsening his health further and making a third kidney transplant necessary.”
“Despite two failed transplants, a kidney transplant remained the best treatment option for the patient in the long run. He regered for a donor transplant at Amrita Hospital in 2023. His opportunity came on January 7, 2025, when a cadaveric kidney from a 50-year-old farmer, who was declared brain dead, became available. Given the urgency, the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) prioritized him, and the medical team had only a few hours to optimize him for surgery,” noted Dr Sharma.
Dr Ahmed Kamaal admitted, “Third transplants are rare due to donor paucity and recipient fitness concerns, and Mr Devender’s case presented additional complexities. (Source: Freepik)
What makes this case so rare from a medical standpoint?
Dr Kamaal admitted, “Third transplants are rare due to donor paucity and recipient fitness concerns, and Mr Devender’s case presented additional complexities. His thin build and exing incisional hernia limited abdominal space, with two native and two non-functioning transplanted kidneys, complicating the placement of a fifth kidney.” Additionally, he added that the the surgical team had to connect the new kidney to the largest available vessels in the abdomen. “His heightened immune response further increased the risk of rejection, necessitating pre-operative planning for a successful transplant.”Story continues below this ad
Why aren’t old, non-functioning kidneys removed?
Dr Nishchay Bhanuprakash, MD, DM Nephrology & Kidney Transplant, Consultant at KAUVERY Hospital, Marathahalli, Bangalore, explained the intricacies of such procedures. He said that in kidney transplantation, it is standard practice to leave the recipient’s original, non-functioning kidneys in place. “The new kidney is typically placed in the lower abdomen (iliac fossa) to avoid complications. Removing the native kidneys could lead to bleeding, infection, and unnecessary surgical risks,” he explains.
He adds that native kidneys, which are often shrunken and scarred, provide little benefit when removed. “ keeping them in place, we minimise risks and focus on ensuring the new kidney functions optimally.”
In cases like Barlewar’s, where multiple transplants occur, each new kidney is carefully placed in different locations within the abdominal cavity. “Surgeons meticulously navigate exing structures and previous surgical sites to ensure an adequate blood supply and avoid complications,” Dr Bhanuprakash notes.
Long-term health prospects for Barlewar after this surgery
Both Dr Sharma and Dr Kamaal said that he has shown signs of a good long-term prognosis, considering he has done exceptionally well in the immediate and early postoperative period. “He will have to monitor his health closely to keep his hypertension under control. Also, he needs to take immunosuppressant drugs as prescribed while being in close follow-up. He will have some dietary restrictions but very few as compared to being on dialysis,” they concluded.Story continues below this ad
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.