First Hungarian 3-way kidney exchange

 Semmelweis University announces the first 3-pair kidney exchange in Hungary. (HT: Péter Biró  ).

For the first time in Hungary, Semmelweisen performed triple living donor kidney transplants within the framework of a cross-donation program
Wednesday, 7 October 2026 Posted by: Eszter Csatári-Földváry
 

"The three kidney transplant patients who received a new organ at the same time two weeks ago as part of the so-called living donor kidney exchange program at Semmelweis University are doing well. The extraordinary medical feat is the result of six hours of coordinated work by thirty health care professionals. For the first time in Hungary, triple living donor cross-donation was carried out, when the immunological or blood group incompatibility between patients and donors was bridged by the medical team by swapping the donated organs between three pairs who were strangers to each other. 

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"Until the summer of 2025, organ exchange was only possible between two couples, the first such intervention was performed at the beginning of this year at the Clinical Center in Pécs. However, with a legislative amendment last summer, several couples can participate in the – otherwise anonymous – organ exchange, which significantly increases the likelihood of optimal pairings and thus the chance of successful kidney transplants, added Dr. Attila Szijártó. He emphasized: As the number of donor organs from the dead is limited, the importance of living donation is increasing, as it can reduce the current average waiting time of 3.5 years. "

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Earlier:

Wednesday, February 4, 2026 Kidney exchange comes to Hungary