Prof Sir Roy Calne Obituary – Prof Sir Roy Calne, the pioneering surgeon who led a team that conducted the first liver transplant in Europe, passed away at the age of 93. On 2 May 1968, Calne performed this groundbreaking procedure at Addenbrooke’s hospital in Cambridge, following the success of the first liver transplant in the United States a year prior. In 1978, Calne made history again by becoming the first doctor to utilize an immunosuppressant, which proved effective in reducing organ rejection.
Through a series of surgical achievements, including several “world firsts,” Calne’s work in liver transplants provided countless individuals suffering from end-stage liver disease with the opportunity for a normal life, as acknowledged by the Royal Society. Calne’s family confirmed that he passed away in Cambridge on Saturday evening. His son Russell expressed his admiration for his father, describing him as an incredible person and a wonderful father to their six children. Russell also expressed immense pride in his father’s accomplishments, which had taken them to extraordinary places.
In interviews, Calne humbly downplayed the significance of the transplant at the time, considering it merely a stepping stone in the development of transplants. He referred to the operation on a 46-year-old woman with liver cancer as just one step in the process during a discussion in 2018. Unfortunately, despite the success of the operation, the patient succumbed to lung inflammation two months later. When asked about his perception of the procedure’s significance, Calne explained that they approached it one step at a time. Their focus was on whether they could successfully perform the operation if the immunosuppression would be effective, and if they could prevent infections in patients in such critical conditions.
Addressing concerns about handling complex cases, Calne noted that there is now more caution and blame. In the past, if a patient with a terminal illness passed away despite the best efforts of the medical team, it was considered expected. However, nowadays, people are quick to assign blame and question whose fault it may be. The legacy of Prof Sir Roy Calne’s contributions to the field of surgery, particularly in liver transplants, will forever be remembered at Cambridge University Hospitals.