A medical team in the U.S. has performed a rare kidney transplant during which the patient was awake throughout the procedure and was discharged the next day.
In some cases general anaesthesia isn’t possible, or carries more risk, so this might open up new opportunities. Here is a bit from the article:
"Now that John’s broken the ceiling, we can offer it to patients who have lung disease, or are older or have heart disease that may pose a higher risk for general anesthesia to make a recovery for them much safer,” Nadig said.
In some cases general anaesthesia isn’t possible, or carries more risk, so this might open up new opportunities. Here is a bit from the article: