BALTIMORE (AP) — A Maryland transplant surgeon says he and doctors at four hospitals in four states have transplanted eight kidneys and he considers that the largest series of multi-kidney donations ever.

Dr. Robert Montgomery of Johns Hopkins Hospital said he would provide details at a news conference today with some donors and recipients. A hospital official says 10 doctors performed 16 surgeries on eight donors and eight recipients at the four hospitals, including Johns Hopkins.

In April 2008, Johns Hopkins surgeons transplanted half a dozen kidneys simultaneously. Montgomery has spoken in the past of bolstering a national kidney-swap program, saying it could help ease the shortage of transplant organs.