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Man Undergoes Surgery to Remove Record-Breaking 74-Pound Kidneys
A man from England has successfully undergone surgery to remove what are believed to be the heaviest kidneys in the world, after years of suffering from a debilitating genetic disease.
Warren Higgs, 54, from Berkshire, was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), a hereditary condition that causes multiple cysts to grow in the kidneys. Over time, these cysts expand, leading to severe pain, organ dysfunction, and life-threatening complications.
A Life-Altering Condition
Higgs’ kidneys had grown so large that they began crushing his lungs, stomach, and heart, making it impossible for him to eat solid food. His daily life was consumed by the effects of the disease, and he had to rely on high doses of morphine just to manage the constant pain.
Before undergoing surgery, Higgs spoke to BerkshireLive, describing the impact of his condition:
“It’s hard to be positive really, it’s a horrible disease. It’s painful, and it’s slow. I advise anyone who does have it to keep the faith, change their lifestyle to deal with it, but I won’t lie, it’s really hard.”
A Record-Breaking Surgery
Due to the severity of his condition, doctors at Churchill Hospital in Oxford decided to perform a bilateral nephrectomy—the removal of both kidneys. When surgeons extracted the organs, they discovered that together they weighed an astonishing 74 pounds (33.5 kg)—potentially setting a new world record for the heaviest kidneys ever removed.
Higgs later confirmed to the BBC that his kidneys had surpassed any previous recorded cases:
“The surgeon had confirmed it all, and yes, we’ve beaten it [the record] in every single way you measure it. I’ve beaten it when you weigh it with the fluid in and with the fluid taken out.”
Life After Surgery
Following the surgery, Higgs is now dependent on dialysis every two days to survive, as his body can no longer filter waste on its own. Despite this, he remains hopeful that he will be eligible for a kidney transplant next year, which would drastically improve his quality of life.
Determined to regain his strength, the former accountant has returned to the gym and is focusing on rebuilding his fitness. In an inspiring show of resilience, Higgs is even preparing to compete in a triathlon in 2022, using a crowdfunded recumbent electric bicycle to help him through the event.
His journey serves as a testament to the power of perseverance, as he continues to push forward despite the challenges of living with PKD.