World's First Mirror-Organ Heart and Liver Transplant Succeeds in Turin

A 32-year-old man from Campania has become the first person in the world to receive a combined heart and liver transplant despite having a rare condition called situs viscerum inversus. His internal organs are a complete mirror image of normal anatomy, making the operation exceptionally complex. The groundbreaking surgery took place on February 14, 2024, at Turin's Molinette Hospital.

The patient was born with severe congenital heart disease, undergoing three open-heart surgeries during his childhood and teenage years. Over time, his heart condition led to liver cirrhosis, which later developed into liver cancer. With no other treatment options left, a combined heart-liver transplant became his only chance for survival.

The multidisciplinary team at Città della Salute in Turin took on the case after doctors in Campania referred him to the specialised centre. Transplanting normally positioned donor organs into a body with mirrored anatomy posed an extraordinary technical challenge. To overcome this, a multi-specialty team travelled to the donor's hospital to retrieve the heart-liver block, maintaining constant communication with the transplant team at Molinette.

The operation required immense logistical coordination, involving dozens of healthcare professionals. Since this pioneering procedure in February 2024, no other patients worldwide have been reported to have undergone a similar transplant as of February 2026.

The successful surgery marks a medical milestone in transplant history. The patient's rare condition and the complexity of the procedure required unprecedented collaboration among specialists. His recovery will be closely monitored, as this case sets a precedent for future patients with similar anatomical challenges.