First Mirror-Organ Patient Receives Groundbreaking Heart-Liver Transplant in Turin

A 32-year-old man from Campania has made medical history as the first person with situs viscerum inversus to receive a combined heart and liver transplant. His internal organs are a perfect mirror image of normal anatomy, posing a unique challenge for surgeons. The groundbreaking operation took place on February 14, 2024, at Turin's Molinette Hospital.

The patient was born with severe congenital heart disease and underwent three open-heart surgeries as a child. Over time, his heart condition led to liver cirrhosis, which later developed into liver cancer. A combined heart-liver transplant became his only chance for survival.

The case was referred to Città della Salute in Turin, where a multidisciplinary team took on the challenge. Transplanting normally positioned donor organs into a mirrored body required extraordinary precision. The operation involved dozens of healthcare professionals, with a team travelling to the donor's hospital to retrieve the heart-liver block while maintaining constant communication with the transplant surgeons.

As of February 2026, no other patient with situs viscerum inversus has successfully undergone a similar procedure worldwide since this first case.

The surgery marks a milestone in transplant medicine, proving that complex procedures are possible even in rare anatomical conditions. The patient's recovery will be closely monitored, offering hope for others with similar medical challenges. The success also highlights the importance of specialised teams and advanced coordination in organ transplantation.