A world-first medical procedure has saved a 10-year-old Melbourne boy from a life-threatening kidney disorder.

Matthew Gaythorpe was born with a rare kidney condition which results in very high blood pressure.

He took 14 types of adult medication to try to stop his seizures and extreme fatigue, and last year suffered a stroke which made his condition worse.

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Matthew's parents were forced to consider a kidney transplant for their son.

But then Professor Ian Meredith and his team at the Monash Heart Centre offered to try something relatively new - and unheard of in a child.

A specially-designed catheter was made and inserted through Matthew's arteries to disable misfiring nerves causing the problem.

"This is the first time it's been done, and considerable deliberation was taken before we decided on this step," he said.

"We decided on compassionate grounds that this would be an appropriate strategy given his complex medical history and his severe blood pressure problems.

"I'm pleased to say it's been an incredible success."

Professor Meredith spent a year battling for ethical approval for the surgery.

He eventually convinced an American company to make the special catheter, which could be inserted by keyhole into Matthew's arteries and then through to his kidneys.

He says he hopes to have added decades to Matthew's life.

Matthew's mother Alex says she and her family are very grateful.

"It's been a 10-year battle with blood pressure, so to have a doctor actually sit there and say 'I think I can help you' was actually quite a life-changing moment for Matthew and for us I guess," she said.

Matthew is now healthier and playing sport.



"I like playing cricket - I play matches on Saturday for that. And I like playing football," he said.

"I really want to be an AFL player or play in basketball, if not be a shark scientist."