Kidney transplantation surgery is a treatment option for patients with chronic kidney failure at Ramkhamhaeng Hospital. The procedure is performed by a team of specialized physicians using advanced medical technology, to improve the patient's quality of life, reduce the risk of complications, and accelerate overall recovery.
Chronic kidney failure is generally categorized into five stages, based on the level of kidney function. When kidney function declines to stage 5—also known as end-stage renal disease—patients typically begin to show symptoms such as:
These three approaches are forms of renal replacement therapy designed to compensate for the loss of kidney function and help the body return to normal function. Kidney transplantation, however, is primarily recommended for patients with end-stage chronic kidney disease who have been ill for an extended period.
Many people may not be familiar with kidney transplantation. This procedure involves surgically implanting a healthy kidney from a donor into a patient with chronic kidney failure, allowing the new kidney to take over kidney functions and help the patient return to a normal life.
Most commonly, the donor kidney comes from a biological relative such as a parent or sibling, a spouse, or a deceased donor.
Before a kidney can be donated, a thorough health screening must confirm that the donor is in good health, has no chronic illnesses, is of an appropriate age, and that the donor’s kidney is compatible with the recipient’s.
In general, biologically related individuals are more likely to be suitable donors. In cases where the donor and recipient are not biologically related, such as a spouse, compatibility testing must be performed. This includes blood type matching, as well as tissue and crossmatch testing to ensure that the recipient's body can accept the kidney.
If the compatibility tests are not favorable, the patient may need to wait for a suitable kidney from a deceased donor.
The first step involves registering to donate organs through the Thai Red Cross Society. The donor or their family member must submit a request to be included in the organ donation registry.
When a registered donor passes away (e.g., due to brain death), the hospital will perform blood and tissue tests and submit the results to the Thai Red Cross Society. The data is then cross-referenced with registered transplant candidates.
If the donor's tissue and blood match a patient on the waiting list, the transplantation will proceed. The process, from preparation to surgery, must be completed within 24 hours. A full evaluation of the donor kidney—including testing for infection and tissue compatibility—is conducted before the transplant can proceed. The entire process must be completed within two days.
After transplantation, the patient will have three kidneys in total, as the original kidneys are typically not removed unless medically necessary. The new kidney is implanted in the lower abdominal area, either on the left or right side, depending on the physician’s assessment.
Ramkhamhaeng Hospital is certified by the Thai Red Cross Society to perform kidney transplantation. Our team includes experienced transplant surgeons and post-operative care specialists who support patients from pre-operative evaluation through post-operative recovery.
We also provide comprehensive care from a multidisciplinary team that includes medical specialists, nurses, nutritionists, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals—available 24 hours a day. As of now, several patients are already on the waiting list and ready to undergo surgery as soon as a suitable donor kidney becomes available, ensuring the transplant occurs within the required 24-hour timeframe.
For more information, please visit: https://www.ram-hosp.co.th/news_detail/1127
If you are interested in learning more about kidney transplant surgery, please contact our dedicated line at 064-564-6059, available daily from 08:00 to 16:00.
