Frank with Graham Starkey, Director Liver Transplant Unit at Austin Health

27 April 2026

When Frank, a 51-year-old father of two, was diagnosed with hereditary polycystic liver and kidney disease, he knew his future would eventually depend on a transplant.

Over time, his condition progressed significantly. His liver grew to nearly nine kilograms, and his kidney function declined to the point of near failure. After 21 months on the transplant waiting list, Frank received the call that would change his life.

Last October, he underwent a complex 16-hour combined liver and kidney transplant at the Austin Hospital.

What makes Frank’s case particularly significant is not just the scale of the surgery, but the technology used to make it possible.

This was the first time Austin Health performed a combined transplant where both the liver and kidney were supported using perfusion technology. This approach keeps donor organs functioning outside the body, allowing clinicians more time to assess them and reducing the time pressure typically associated with transplantation.

By extending preservation time and improving organ assessment, perfusion technology opens the door to using more donor organs and taking on complex cases that may not have previously been possible.

The procedure itself required the coordination of four surgical teams and carried significant risk. Before going into surgery, Frank said goodbye to his wife and two teenage children, uncertain of the outcome.

“I cannot speak highly enough of the Austin team,” Frank said.

“From the moment I was assessed through to my recovery, I felt informed, supported and in very safe hands. The care from the surgeons, nurses and broader team has been exceptional.”

“The level of coordination and communication throughout the process was remarkable. I always understood what was happening and what to expect, which made an incredibly complex experience much easier to navigate.”

Frank, his wife and two children in front of the 'Transplant Family Tree' on 8 West

Now, five months on, Frank is back at work and feeling better than he has in years.

“The surgery has completely changed how I feel day to day,” he said.

“I have more energy, I am back at work, and I am able to do things that were becoming increasingly difficult before.”

He’s also enjoying the simple moments that matter most, like kicking the footy with his son.

“It has given me a new lease on life. Being able to spend time with my family and plan for the future again is something I do not take for granted.”

Frank’s transplant marks an important milestone for Austin Health, with the team already completing a second case using the same approach and planning to continue expanding the program.

For patients like Frank, it’s more than a clinical breakthrough - it’s a second chance at life.