Alessia di Matteo
|
|
Alessia di Matteo (born July, 2003) is an Italian from Genoa. Di Matteo became the first person in history to successfully receive eight organ transplants during the same operation. She was operated on January 31, 2004, in Miami, at the tender age of six months.
Di Matteo was born with congenital smooth muscle disorder, which affects her kidneys, intestines and stomach. Without treatment, she would have died. Doctors say that they will still watch the Italian patient closely over her first year of life, and for the next ten months.
Alessia di Matteo received a liver, a small and large intestine, a pancreas, a new stomach, a spleen and two kidneys. The operation was led by doctor Andreas Tzakis.
Di Matteo will remain in Florida for an extended period of time, to watch for any complications.