A futuristic triple-organ transplant at the University of Minnesota was celebrated this week with a century-old American Indian custom, when the family of the patient presented a star quilt to the lead surgeon.

Dr. Srinath Chinnakotla accepted the gesture of thanks from the parents of Lanah Jones, who received a new liver, kidney and pancreas last August due to a rare childhood disorder. The procedure had been performed only once before, but Chinnakotla believed it was the only way to save Lanah, then 8, whose liver and kidneys were failing.

"She was going to die in the next couple of days," he said.

Lanah has one of only 60 diagnosed cases of a disease called Wolcott-Rallison Syndrome, which gave her diabetes at age 2 and left her liver and kidneys susceptible to infections. Most children with the syndrome never reach adulthood.

But the odds of dying in surgery were 90 percent, so Jones' parents struggled with the decision. "Is this her time, or do we keep helping her fight?" her mother, Stephanie, recalled.

Lanah received a donor liver and one kidney to replace failing organs; the pancreas was transplanted to eliminate her diabetes symptoms and improve her long-term health.

Chinnakotla waited several months to discuss the case publicly because of concerns over Lanah's survival. But after 10 months, she is with her family on the Lower Brule Sioux Reservation in South Dakota — succeeding in school, playing dress-up, watching "Frozen,'' teasing her brother, and pleading to get her hair dyed. "I told her she's too young," her mother said.

The syndrome doesn't threaten Lanah's new organs, but it leaves her susceptible to infections and other problems. And Lanah, now 9, is taking immunosuppressive drugs so her body doesn't reject the new organs. But the pancreas transplant means she no longer needs an insulin pump or has diabetic symptoms.

Heartened by the success, Chinnakotla posed for pictures with his young patient Wednesday, wrapped ceremoniously in his new quilt.

Now, where to put this tangible reminder of the achievement? "I said, 'I'm going to put it in my office,' " Chinnakotla said. "And my wife said, 'No, I want it at home.' "